PUTRAJAYA – The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has reminded the public to be wary of a Macau Scam syndicate posing as IRB officers to deceive victims.
IRB said in a statement today that tax-related matters would not be discussed through phone calls, but rather through letters or official emails using the @hasil.gov.my domain.
It said, according to police data from January 1-27, that 556 cases linked to syndicate members posing as IRB officers were investigated, involving losses of more than RM15.26 million.
The syndicate’s modus operandi is to pose as IRB officers and contact targeted victims via phone calls, asking them to pay “outstanding tax arrears”.
“The call will then be connected to another member disguised as police personnel, officers from Bank Negara, or other enforcement agencies, who will ask the victims to lodge an official report,” said the statement.
The victims will also be told they are involved in money-laundering, drugs, or other criminal activities which will cause them to panic before being asked to give their banking information, including transaction authorisation codes or one-time PIN numbers.
According to IRB, victims only realise they have been conned after money from their accounts has been transferred to a third party and they fail to contact the suspects.
It reminded the public to be careful when receiving phone calls, messages, emails, or letters – verifying them by contacting the Hasil Care Line, visiting the official IRB portal, or going to the nearest IRB office. – Bernama, June 7, 2021
