Education

Know the Scam Patterns

Almost every financial scam in Malaysia follows a handful of patterns. Learn the warning signs before you become a victim.

PATTERN 01

Investment Scams

Schemes promising high fixed returns (“20% a month, guaranteed”) via forex, gold, crypto or “AI trading”. New investors' money pays earlier investors until the scheme collapses.

Check first

Search the scheme's name on SemakScam and verify licences with BNM/SC before investing.

Warning signs

“Guaranteed” or fixed monthly returns
Time pressure: “limited slots, closing tonight”
Payments to personal accounts, not a company
Commissions for recruiting new members
No verifiable BNM/SC licence

PATTERN 02

Mule Accounts

You are “hired” to let others use your bank account — or unknowingly move stolen money. Mule account holders can be prosecuted even if they claim ignorance.

Check first

Before dealing with unknown sellers/agents, check the account number on PDRM SemakMule.

Warning signs

Offers to “rent your bank account” for a fee
Easy job: “just receive & transfer money”
Asked to hand over ATM card / TAC / online banking
Salary arriving from unclear sources

PATTERN 03

Phishing & Impersonation

SMS/calls/emails impersonating banks, LHDN, PDRM, couriers or utilities — pressuring you to click a link, reveal a TAC, or “move money to a safe account”. Real agencies never ask you to transfer money.

Been targeted?

Report the number/link to MCMC. Don't click; contact the organisation through its official number.

Warning signs

Pressure & threats (“account blocked today”)
Odd links mimicking official sites
Requests for TAC/OTP or passwords
An “officer” asking you to move money to a “safe account”

PATTERN 04

Love / Parcel Scams

An online contact builds a relationship over months, then asks for money — an emergency, a “gift stuck at customs”, or a “joint” investment opportunity. Often ends in a fake investment platform.

Already caught up?

Stop all transfers, keep the evidence, and go straight to the reporting guide.

Warning signs

Never available for video calls / meetups
Emergency stories that need money urgently
“Customs/courier” demanding fees to release a gift
Invitations to invest on a platform you don't know

If the returns are “guaranteed”, it's not an investment — it's bait.

CHECK FIRST · ASK FIRST · DON'T RUSH