COMMERCIAL CRIMES RECORD RM4.8 MILLION IN LOSSES IN PAHANG LAST MONTH

“Various awareness programmes to educate the public have been carried out but sadly, many still fall victim. The public need to be on alert and be informed about these popular scams and the modus operandi deployed by scammers,” he told reporters after attending the Pahang police contingent headquarters monthly assembly today.

Ramli said police had deployed a team of dedicated officers from the state Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department to hold talks at schools, government departments and agencies to keep the public on their toes.

“The police team has been on the ground to keep the public on alert. Besides conducting talks, we distribute pamphlets and share information on the modus operandi so people will be aware when they receive such calls or face a familiar situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramli said cases where professionals were duped by cyber criminals were mainly due to “law-abiding individuals” with high positions who were worried about their reputations being tarnished.

“When these professionals receive calls claiming that they will be arrested or a police vehicle will arrive at their homes, they panic and follow the scammers. They fear the law and despite not committing any offence, they are tricked into believing whatever the caller says.

“Do not entertain such calls as every second is vital… the longer we communicate with the scammer, they will have a higher chance to influence us. So, when we receive calls from unknown individuals or numbers, it is best we cut short the conversation and immediately cancel the call,” he said.

Ramli said the syndicate members have a script to follow when attempting to trick victims, so when a victim denies an allegation they will move on to the second option or try to convince using other methods.

“The suspects will try their best to ensure we fall into their trap. That is why, we have cases where someone who has not been to Sabah ends up believing that a car rented under his name was involved in an accident… the innocent victim ends up believing the caller and pays a sum of cash to avoid being arrested,” he said.

At the event, Ramli also handed 11 units of the Go Auto Higer ACE commercial vans to the 11 district police headquarters in Pahang.

Sources: NST website (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/02/771574/commercial-crimes-record-rm48-million-losses-pahang-last-month)