Malaysia

Student shares experience as social media scam victim at Internet Safety Day

A 21-year-old university student who lost over RM1,200 to an online scam highlighted the importance of digital vigilance during the Internet Safety Day 2026 event in Kuala Lumpur

Updated 5 months ago · Published on 08 Feb 2026 5:24PM

Student shares experience as social media scam victim at Internet Safety Day
The student underscores the need for awareness programmes to protect young people from online fraud and misuse of artificial intelligence - February 8, 2026

A 21-YEAR-OLD accounting student has recounted his experience as a victim of an online scam, stressing the importance of digital literacy and vigilance for young users.

“I was once a victim of a social media scam and suffered losses exceeding RM1,200,” said Muhammad Adam Hakimie Muhd Anuar, a visitor at the Internet Safety Day (HKI) 2026 event held at the Astaka Taman Tasik Titiwangsa today.

The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) undergraduate said he fell prey to fraud while searching for a rental property at the start of his second year of study.

“That incident opened my eyes to the risks online, and now I am much more cautious. So when I heard about HKI taking place here, I immediately came along with a friend,” he said. “For me, the programme provides a lot of exposure to internet safety. It is particularly useful for young people to learn more and prevent themselves from becoming victims of scammers.”

HKI 2026, a one-day event, offered a variety of interactive and informative activities aimed at promoting safe online behaviour. The programme was officially launched by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Themed “Smart Technology, Safe Choices: Responsible and Secure Use of AI,” the event, organised by the Ministry of Communications and led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), provided practical guidance for creating a safer digital environment, especially for children and youth.

Internet Safety Day, observed annually in more than 170 countries, aims to encourage responsible, safe, and positive use of the Internet, with particular focus on educating children and young people about online risks, including scams, misinformation, and misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. - February 8, 2026

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