PDRM urges Telegram users to turn on two-step verification after over RM2 million were lost to online fraud since January

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The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has urged Telegram users in Malaysia to activate the messaging app's ‘two-step verification’ security pin setting. This is following a rampant syndicate that has hacked numerous Telegram accounts in our country since the start of the year.

According to Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Mohd Kamaruddin Md. Din, the modus operandi of the syndicate is to hack social media accounts and then pose as the person that they hacked. He revealed that a total of 314 cases of online fraud involving more than RM2 million were recorded from January to March 2022 alone.

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As reported by Bernama, Kamaruddin said that from early this year, the syndicate began hacking Telegram accounts of their victims and obtained a list of the victims’ friends to borrow money. The actual owner of the Telegram account would only realise of the scam when they couldn’t access their accounts or when they receive calls from contacts asking about the validity of the loan that the scammer requested.

Hence, Kamaruddin urged Telegram users to be vigilant and use the two-step verification feature to enhance their accounts’ security. This would hopefully prevent criminals from activating the Telegram account on other devices.

The CCID director also advised the public to not easily believe messages requesting money from their contacts. One red flag for this is when the person asks for you to transfer to another account not belonging to them.

In order to activate two-step verification on your Telegram account, go to your Settings tab, select 'Privacy and Security' and then select the 'Two-Step Verification' option. Telegram will then prompt you to add an add an additional password and an optional recovery e-mail to activate the feature.

What do you guys think of this Telegram hacking syndicate? Have you or your friends been a victim by these scammers?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below. For more tech news and tips such as this, stay tuned to TechNave!