JOHOR BARU: No one is safe from scammers, not even the state police chief.
Johor’s top cop, Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat, said he recently received a phone call, but did not entertain the caller.
“I received a call from this one individual. The person knew my cellphone number as well as my home address, and the moment this person wanted to connect the call to another ‘high ranking’ officer, I just hung up.
“The public should be vigilant and careful when dealing with such situations as scammers have all kinds of tactics to dupe people,” he said when met after attending the state police monthly assembly at the Johor police headquarters here yesterday.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said people should think rationally when receiving calls from unknown people claiming to be from the authorities.
“Normally, these scammers will claim to be enforcement officers before telling that person of some sort of offence he or she committed, such as a traffic offence, for example. However, the caller will then tell that person that they are being investigated for money laundering.
“Always follow logic because if the offence involves a traffic summons, the maximum compound is only RM300, and it is impossible to be associated with any other offence,” he said.
Comm Kamarul Zaman also said that enforcement agencies such as the police do not call each offender before connecting with any high-ranking officer, which is a method scammers often use to scare their victims.
He added that the public should always be vigilant against all sorts of tactics used by scammers, including email.
“They are using technology and getting all our personal and sensitive information, causing huge financial losses to unsuspecting victims. The public should always be careful when contacted by unknown individuals,” he said.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said to make people more aware of scams, the police are collaborating with the state Education Department and Bank Negara Malaysia.
He added this comes as the state police commercial crime department recorded 3,185 cases from January until September this year, compared with 2,403 cases in the same period last year.
“This shows an increase of 782 cases, or 32.5%. Of the 3,185 cases we recorded this year, online scams were the biggest contributor, accounting for 2,614 cases or 82.1%.
“Among the cases that have been classified as online scams are online purchases, phone scams, and non-existent investments or employment offers,” he said.
