When you suddenly receive a request from some relatives and friends to borrow money from you through social media or communication software, you have to pay attention! That may be a scam!
According to the information of Datuk Kamarudin, director of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department, from last year to March this year, the police received a total of 1,092 reports of impersonating friends, involving losses of up to RM7.1 million!
In the first three months of this year alone, the police have received 314 reports with a loss of RM2.3 million, compared with 778 reports for the whole of last year, with a loss of RM4.8 million.
These scammers usually use the mobile phone apps WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook, or even make phone calls in person, claiming to be their friends to the target person, and after a few greetings, they will borrow money for various reasons.
Since the amount of money they want to borrow is small, ranging from RM500 to RM2,000, and they steal the head portraits of the target’s friends, many people are easily fooled. And if you use the phone to make a call, many people can’t recognize the other party’s voice.
So next time when you encounter a similar situation, and before lending money to the other party, remember to make sure that the other party is your real relative or friend, not faked by the scam group.
