KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has detected 1,337,862 dubious prepaid mobile phone lines as of October 2020 as part of the government’s bid to combat cyber scams, Multimedia and Communications Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said.
Saifuddin said, from the figure, a total of 920,207 lines had been disconnected from service while 456,665 were updated with verified information.
He said these were among the steps taken by the MCMC, with the help of the National Registration Department, to reduce instances of fraudulent activity that took place online.
“The Ministry through the Department of Information has implemented communications strategies that were planned through social media platforms of the department to ensure the people receive accurate and verified information on cyber scams,” Saifuddin who is Indera Mahkota MP said.
Saifuddin was responding to a question in parliament posed by Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis-BN) on initiatives undertaken by the ministry to ensure the people were protected from cyber scams through unauthorised applications, phone calls, and through other methods which dupe them into parting with personal information and money.
“Under Cyber Security Malaysia, an agency under the ministry is assisting the rakyat in tackling cyber scams through multiple programs,” Saifuddin said.
“This was needed to ensure the implementation of cybersecurity practices in daily life and to ensure the knowledge of cyber threats that are constantly changing according to current technologies.”
Saifuddin added the ministry was also working closely with the Police and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) on enforcement efforts. - The Vibes, November 4, 2020