Scams are increasing and can happen to anyone! Don’t be ashamed if you fall for one. Protect yourself and your family by learning to recognize warning signs, common tactics, and what to do if you become a victim.

To help you do that, we’re breaking down some of the most common scams happening in Malaysia today.

Don't Fall for These Scams in Malaysia: Tips for Staying Safe 7 - Multiply - Planning & Budgeting, Blog

Investment Scam

Scammers trick people into investing in fake businesses through social media, like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage. They promise high profits, but in the end, investors don’t make any money.

🚨(Instant) high returns with low risk promised
🚨Urgency to invest without enough time to consider
🚨Being asked to transfer funds to a personal account

❗Most investment schemes require authorisation/registration with the regulator (see list here). When in doubt, contact the Securities Commission (SC) at aduan@seccom.com.my or call +603 6204 8999 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri).

💡 Related: Beware of Investment Scams!

Job Scam

Scammers trick job seekers into paying money or providing personal information for a fake job offer, promising high salaries or work-from-home opportunities.

🚨Vague job description without recruiter/employer details
🚨No clear job offer with company name, address, job position, description, and wage
🚨Request for personal info or money transfer for medical checks, work passes, or interviews.

Macau Scam

Scammers would pose as government officials or representatives from reputable organisations to pressure victims into transferring a large sum of money into a specific bank account.

🚨Calls claiming to be authorities from private numbers or outside working hours
🚨Unsolicited calls claiming you’ve won a prize/lottery
🚨Demands for urgent payment to third-party account for non-existent threat or to “protect” your money.

💡 Related: What is a Macau Scam?

Money Mule Scam

Scammers trick people into transferring stolen or laundered money for them. This is called “money mule” activity and helps scammers avoid getting caught. It’s against the law and can lead to serious punishment for those who participate..

🚨Unsolicited job offers with high pay for little work
🚨Request to use personal bank account for fund transfer
🚨Request to use ATM card as collateral as part of your application process by unlicensed money lenders.

Parcel Scam

Scammers would deceive individuals into paying for a parcel or package that doesn’t exist.

🚨Unsolicited calls requesting payment for delivery fees, import taxes, unclaimed/ unexpected packages, or personal/financial info
🚨Suspicious websites or links related to delivery
🚨Demands for urgent payment to avoid penalties or cancellation of delivery
🚨Claim that package contents are illegal to pressure victims into compliance.

❗E-commerce retailers use official channels for communications only and never ask for banking info/payment to personal accounts for undelivered parcels or parcel release.

Love Scam

Scammers would use fake online profiles to build a romantic relationship and steal money or personal information from their victim.

🚨Quick love profession but failure to follow through with plans
🚨Claiming to need money for emergencies, bills, or travel
🚨Repeatedly requesting money from you
🚨Insisting on moving conversation to another platform (e.g. WhatsApp or Telegram).

Do you think you have been scammed? Do not panic and react quickly by taking the following actions:

Step 1: Verify Information

Verify caller information by requesting their full name, telephone number, and department, and validating it through the organisation’s customer service hotline.

Check for fraudulent activity by the account or phone number owner on CCID’s Semak Mule site. Consult SC’s Investor Alert List for unauthorised entities. Prior to making investment decisions, contact Bursa Malaysia at bursa2u@bursamalaysia.com or 03-2732 0067.

Step 2: Contact Authorities

Contact your bank or call the NSRC at 997 (8am-8pm, daily) or call SC’s Consumers and Investor Office at 03-6204 8999 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) to lodge a report and launch a formal investigation.

Step 3: Activate Kill-Switch

If you bank with Maybank, CIMB, or OCBC, take advantage of their self-security feature by activating the “kill-switch” to quickly freeze your accounts if you suspect fraudulent activity.