A cybersecurity expert believes that authorities need to comprehend the underlying reasons why Malaysians are easily susceptible to falling for scams.
Prof Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin suggested the formation of a team of experts from various fields such as psychology, cybersecurity, and law to identify the root causes of why many Malaysians are so easily scammed.
The founder and patron of International Islamic University Malaysia’s Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity, Prof Mohamed Ridza, explained that there are varying levels of awareness of scams among Malaysians, namely: tahu (know), faham (understand), and jelas (clarity).
“Many Malaysians are in the first category, and these are the ones who make up the majority of scam victims.
“I would associate greed, fear or panic, and loneliness as factors compelling Malaysians to fall victim, with ignorance as the root cause,” he said.
Prof Mohamed Ridza also emphasized the need for the government to intensify anti-scam campaigns to educate the public about the different levels of complexity in scams and raise awareness accordingly.
On Dec 20, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced that the government is conducting a three-month study to identify any amendments or additions to existing laws to comprehensively tackle online crime.
Furthermore, a Bank Islam spokesman cautioned customers to be vigilant and proactive in their defense despite the banking industry’s implementation of various preventive measures against scams.
“Always verify your private image and word before entering your password; avoid transactions and contact your bank if you notice any discrepancies,” the spokesman advised.
“Regularly update your password and security questions. Only download the official app from AppStore or Google Playstore, and conduct transactions exclusively through these official apps.
“Register for secure authentication for an additional layer of security,” the spokesman added, emphasizing that banks employ advanced fraud monitoring systems to detect scams.
“These systems help banks detect suspicious transactions based on profiles and the behavior patterns of customers,” the spokesman said.
“Once triggered, the dedicated fraud monitoring team will block the account and contact the customer to verify the unusual transaction.”
