News & Reviews:   fraud

MyCERT is now issuing a warning to users in Malaysia to be careful when accessing files received via WhatsApp, especially WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop. MyCerts said there are irresponsible parties targeting local users by sending VBS-formatted files to WhatsApp users. The file will run automatically if opened using WhatsApp Desktop or WhatsApp Web when using the Windows operating system.

Meta has finally been sued for allegedly allowing these scam ads to continue to run rampant without any action being taken. The class action lawsuit was filed by Santa Clara County on behalf of California residents who say these scam ads violate state law. That said, what should you know about it?

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) has issued a public warning regarding a fake website impersonating its official platform in Malaysia. In a recent announcement shared on 12 May 2026, MOTAC urged users not to visit the suspicious website and to remain cautious of possible scam activities linked to the portal.

Online scams in Malaysia continue to escalate, with new data showing a sharp rise in both financial losses and the diversity of victims. According to a report by Bernama, Perak alone recorded 4848 online fraud cases in 2025, resulting in total losses of RM124.99 million.

In a continuous effort to battle online scams, Maxis has rolled out an integrated artificial intelligence-powered network firewall, designed to combat digital fraud across both voice and SMS traffic. The system has been operational since January 2026 and forms part of the company’s broader multi-layered security framework aimed at delivering safer connectivity for customers.

During the long weekend, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) successfully dismantled a scam operation that used fake mobile base stations to intercept networks and distribute fraudulent SMS messages in Genting Highlands. In a media statement dated 31 January 2026, MCMC confirmed that the operation was successfully neutralised following continuous technical monitoring and network analysis.

A few hours ago, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) published its Public Inquiry Report on proposed mandatory standards for the registration of prepaid mobile end users. The report outlines feedback received from both industry players and the public, alongside the Commission’s final policy position on strengthening prepaid SIM registration in Malaysia.

You would think by now that most Malaysians have become better at spotting online scams than before, but it turns out that this is not the case yet. The recent data from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) shows that between January and November 2025, there were 67735 online crime cases recorded nationwide, resulting in cumulative losses exceeding RM 2.7 billion.

Maxis has announced a new strategic partnership with Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd. (GTS), a global telecom solutions provider, to deploy an AI-powered firewall designed to secure messaging and voice traffic across its network in Malaysia. This end-to-end, fully managed service aims to enhance network security, improve service quality, and safeguard millions of Maxis subscribers from fraud and spam.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil recently revealed that Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and Telegram have been identified as the most preferred platforms for scammers to commit fraud in Malaysia. He added that losses from scams and fraud on these 4 platforms had easily reached hundreds of millions of ringgit.