BUSINESSES are being targeted by scammers posing as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) officers, using forged government procurement documents to convince vendors that they have secured official projects before demanding advance payments.
The syndicate has been approaching companies through emails and WhatsApp messages, claiming to need urgent services for overseas trade delegations, translation work at international exhibitions and corporate recreational events.
Matrade said the scammers would initially request documents including company profiles, quotations, Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) registration certificates, bank statements and Ministry of Finance (MoF) registration certificates.
These documents are then allegedly used to produce fake Letters of Intent, Letters of Acceptance (LOA) and Government Purchase Orders, making it appear that the procurement exercises have been officially approved by the agency.
The deception has already resulted in financial losses for some companies, which made advance payments to third-party accounts after being told the money was needed to secure goods or services for the purported projects.
According to Matrade, the scammers would direct vendors to pay supposed subcontractors for items such as corporate gifts and specialised project equipment, claiming the expenses had to be settled before the government released full payment.
The accounts, however, were controlled by the syndicate.
Matrade said it had lodged a police report for commercial crime investigation and filed complaints with CyberSecurity Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to help trace those behind the scheme.
The agency stressed that all official correspondence from its officers must use the @matrade.gov.my email domain.
It does not use free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail, or personal WhatsApp accounts, for procurement matters.
It also clarified that its procurement exercises are conducted through established procedures or official agency portals in accordance with Treasury procurement regulations, rather than informal communications.
Businesses receiving suspicious requests purportedly from Matrade have been urged to verify them directly with the agency and refrain from making payments or handing over company documents until their authenticity is established.
Companies that may have fallen victim to the scheme should contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 immediately to facilitate efforts to stop further transactions.
They should also lodge a police report and provide supporting evidence, including transaction records, copies of fraudulent documents and screenshots of conversations, to assist investigations.
Matrade said it would take firm action against attempts to misuse its name and compromise the agency’s integrity.
Businesses can verify suspicious communications through its official hotline at +603-6207 7077 or email [email protected]. - November 5, 2026
