ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin speaking at the seminar.
CYBERCRIME is on the rise despite concerted efforts by authorities to increase awareness of scams.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said senior citizens, especially, needed to be extra cautious as they are frequently targeted by scammers.
Cybercrime cases in Petaling Jaya from January to April this year involved about RM10.4mil, he said at a seminar held by the Section 1B Petaling Jaya Rukun Tetangga (1B RT) with the neighbourhood police.
ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin said despite all the warnings and news reports about people being cheated, many were still falling for love and loan scams as well as Macau and parcel delivery scams.
“Scammers may contact you in various ways via calls, email, social media sites and SMS (short messaging services).
“They impersonate law enforcement officers or other individuals,” he said.
ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin speaking at the seminar.
While cybercrime cases are increasing, ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin noted that neighbourhood crime including snatch theft, vehicle theft and house break-ins were on the decline in Petaling Jaya.
“In 2022, neighbourhood crime decreased by 8% and is continuing to drop this year,” he said, adding that police had 95 patrol cars in the city.
Deputy Supt Mohd Suhaime Azamat, in his talk, emphasised the need for the public to remain alert at all times.
“If you come across cheap smartphones being sold on social media, don’t be deceived by the low prices.
“Exercise caution when making other online purchases as well,” he advised.
DSP Mohd Suhaime said that about 430 cybercrime investigations were being carried out in Petaling Jaya.
He encouraged the people to help spread awareness on the tricks used by scammers.
“Do not click on unauthorised website links that you may receive on your phone.
“If you encounter a scam, call the hotline immediately and report the suspicious activity.”
1B RT deputy president Alex Liaw Tiong Meng said it was crucial to hold these types of awareness events, particularly for senior citizens who might be less familiar with technological advances and the malicious activities of scammers.
One of the attendees, who wished to be known only as Jaswant, 60, said he almost fell for a parcel delivery scam.
“The caller impersonated a Pos Laju employee and said there was a parcel for me but I had to pay a certain amount to get it.
“When the person mentioned that the matter involved the Sarawak police, I realised it was a scam,” he said.
Also at the seminar was 1B RT president Kok Kuan Yong.
Those who encounter scams should call the National Scam Response Centre hotline at 997 or lodge a report at the nearest police station.
