MCPF to set up special committee to combat rise of Macau scams

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The Cyber Crime Committee will consist of members skilled in information technology to combat the rise of scams using the latest devices and technology. AFP File Photo

KUCHING: The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has set up a special committee to address the problem of Macau scams and to create awareness among the public.

MCPF senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Cyber Crime Committee would be headed by Professor Dr Mohamad Fauzan of the International Islamic University and its members include those who have the knowledge and skills in information and communication technology.

“We realise that every day, Malysians fall victim to these sort of scams, including government officials and housewives.

“Students and highly-educated people were also not spared although most of their victims are pensioners who keep their money in banks,” he said in a statement issued today.

Lee said MCPF was concerned about the ability of the syndicates conducting these scams to evolve using the latest tactics as well as the latest devices to make their deception more convincing.

“I myself have lodged a police report when my name was used by the syndicate to raise money from the top official of an organisation that I am the chairman of.The syndicate had contacted the victim using a fake email that looked like mine,” he said.

Lee said he was informed that some of the syndicates now have professional trainers or coaches who constantly improve their tactics so that it would be very difficult to detect or uncover their scams.

He pointed out that this proves how professional they are as they are always a few steps ahead of the enforcement agencies.

Lee said the MCPF Cyber Crime Committee would get the information needed and seek cooperation from the police as well as other relevant agencies including Cybersecurity Malaysia to find ways to address the problem more effectively.

He said the committee would also plan various programmes and activities to help raise awareness on Macau scams and other various scams exploiting the latest technology.

He advised members of the public to be cautious at all times and to always share information with family members and friends when contacted by syndicates, apart from lodging a police report.

Based on the statistics released by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), there were 4,500 scam cases using telephone calls and short message services (SMS) with a total loss of RM113.11 million in 2017.

Bukit Aman CCID director Datuk Seri Mohd Zakaria Ahmad said since 2015, the department recorded about RM2 billion of losses suffered by the victims of commercial crimes including Macau scams and loan package or investment schemes which did not exist.

For the first six months of the year, the department has received 5,069 reports on cyber crimes involving RM250 million lost to scammers.

He also said that 1,973 individuals were arrested for their involvement in cyber scams within the same period this year.