Malaysian Common Commercial Crime Scams You Need to Know


In today’s fast-paced and increasingly digital world, scams and fraudulent activities have become more sophisticated and prevalent. Malaysia is no exception to this trend, with various types of commercial crime scams affecting individuals and businesses alike. From telecommunication fraud to fake investment schemes, these scams can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims.


Understanding the common types of scams and how they operate is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to these deceitful tactics. In this post, we will explore some of the most common commercial crime scams in Malaysia, including telecommunication fraud, e-financial fraud, e-commerce fraud, loan scams, investment scams, and love scams. By familiarizing yourself with these scams, you can better identify suspicious activities and take proactive measures to safeguard your personal and financial well-being.

Let’s dive in and learn more about these prevalent scams so you can stay informed and vigilant in the face of potential fraud. According to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of PDRM, online scam crimes are categorized into six distinct types:

Telecommunication Fraud

Definition: The fraudulent use of telecommunications products or services to steal money or information.

Examples:

  • Vishing (Voice Phishing): Scammers call victims pretending to be from a legitimate organization to extract personal information.
  • SIM Card Swapping: Fraudsters convince a mobile carrier to transfer a victim's phone number to a new SIM card, allowing access to accounts that require SMS-based authentication.

E-Financial Fraud

Definition: The use of electronic means to commit financial fraud, targeting individuals or organizations.

Examples:

  • Phishing: Sending emails that appear to be from legitimate financial institutions to trick recipients into revealing personal information.
  • Online Banking Fraud: Unauthorized access to online banking accounts to steal funds.

E-Commerce Fraud

Definition: Fraudulent activities conducted through online shopping platforms, affecting both buyers and sellers.

Examples:

  • Fake Online Stores: Websites that mimic legitimate e-commerce sites to collect payments for non-existent goods.
  • Payment Fraud: Using stolen credit card information to make purchases.

Loan Scam

Definition: Fraudulent schemes where scammers offer non-existent loans to individuals or businesses in exchange for upfront fees.

Examples:

  • Advance Fee Loan: Victims are asked to pay a fee upfront for a loan that never materializes.
  • Phantom Help: Offering to assist with loan applications or debt relief for a fee, with no intention of providing the service.

Investment Scam

Definition: Fraudulent investment opportunities designed to deceive investors and steal their money.

Examples:

  • Ponzi Scheme: Using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors, rather than from profit.
  • Pump and Dump: Artificially inflating the price of a stock to sell off shares at a higher price.

Love Scam

Definition: Emotional manipulation and deception where scammers form romantic relationships to exploit victims financially. The majority of love scam victims are women who experience loneliness and lack companionship. Often feeling neglected and longing for attention and affection, they become vulnerable to scammers who exploit these emotions to trap them. Many of these victims are pensioners.

Examples:

  • Catfishing: Creating a fake identity to build a relationship and deceive the victim into sending money.
  • Romance Fraud: Earning trust over time, then requesting money for fabricated emergencies, travel, or other false needs. 
Location: Malaysia

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