KUALA LUMPUR – Intimidating phone calls from the “authorities” threatening to confiscate one’s property or risk imprisonment are among the multitude of reasons people fall victim to phone scams.
More so if the call is from the so-called police, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Inland Revenue Board (IRB) or national agencies.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said most of victims of such scams are senior citizens who have no knowledge of the modus operandi of scammers.
He said when the victims receive calls from scammers threatening to confiscate their property, they will follow every instruction without question.
"When they are threatened with arrest, imprisonment, having their property confiscated... that scares them and they fall prey to the scam.
"But not for those who have a hard life; the challenges they have faced makes it difficult for them to be duped,” he told Getaran.
Zainuddin said the modus operandi of taking on the identity of authorities is commonly used by syndicates of the Macau Scam, which, between 2019 and last year, earned RM300 million by fraudulent means.
Based on CCID intelligence, Macau Scam syndicates contact their victims randomly, but information about the victim is gleaned from their phone conversation.
Zainuddin said victims reveal their personal details unknowingly while being “interrogated” by the scammers.
"For example, personal information about the victim is obtained when the victim gets a call from the syndicate posing as a IRB officer, who tells them that action will be taken against them under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
"It is here when the victim feels threatened, resulting in them being afraid to lie about their personal details and adhering to every instruction by the scammer, involving transactions worth hundreds of thousands,” he said.
Zainuddin said the “interrogation” by the scammer adds to the victim’s fear, and they become convinced that they are being investigated by the authorities.
"This happens all the time. When they are asked about their full name and other details, would they lie?
“That makes them reveal full details,” he added.
Throughout 2019, there were 2,466 Macau Scam cases recorded, resulting in losses worth RM121,855,100.
Total losses increased to RM172,676,943 last year, through 2,244 cases.
Meanwhile, 866 individuals involved in Macau Scams were detained in 2019, a number that increased to 1,078 the following year. – The Vibes, February 25, 2021
