JOHOR BARU: Federal police are urging members of the public to be cautious of unsolicited offers and agencies offering services to recover funds lost to scams.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf advised the public to always verify sources when contacted by strangers.
"Among the crucial steps is to contact the alleged recovery agency or law enforcement body (the caller claims to represent) directly using verified contact information, not the numbers provided by the potential scammers.
"Legitimate agencies typically do not require upfront payments, and it is best to lodge reports on suspicious activities immediately."
Ramli said scammers were always refining their tactics, so staying informed and vigilant remained the best defence to avoid becoming a victim.
Police and other authorities had established platforms to help the public check against scammers and fraudulent activities.
These platforms provided valuable resources to verify the legitimacy of businesses and individuals, and for reporting suspected scams.
Among them are:
SEMAK Mule (https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/). Operated by the CCID, Semak Mule allows the public to check whether bank account numbers or phone numbers have been reported for suspicious or fraudulent activities;
CCID Scam Response Centre. The centre's helpline (03-26101559 / 03-26101599) operates daily between 8am and 8pm. It provides assistance to individuals who suspect they have been targeted by scammers. The centre offers guidance on how to proceed and can help verify the authenticity of suspicious contacts;
CCID Facebook page. The official police CCID Facebook page provides updates on scam alerts, preventive measures and public awareness campaigns. It is a useful resource for staying informed about the latest scam tactics;
MALAYSIA Computer Emergency Response Team, or Mycert (https://www.mycert.org.my/). Operated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), MyCert provides support for cybersecurity incidents, including online scams. They offer resources and guidance on how to protect against cyber threats; and,
NATIONAL Scam Response Centre (NSRC). Hotline 997 was launched to provide a coordinated response to scam-related issues, the NSRC assists scam victims by offering support and guidance on the necessary steps to report and address fraudulent activities.
NSRC is a joint initiative between the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), police, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), MCMC, financial institutions and the telecommunications industry.