Use 'Semak Mule' app, website to identify accounts used by scammers

Deputy Inspector-General of Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani (second from left) at the launching of the 'Semak Mule' application. —AZMAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are urging people to use the "Semak Mule" online application and website to identify accounts used by scammers in order to avoid becoming victims.

Deputy Inspector-General of Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the application, introduced in January last year, had yielded results as the public could access it anytime of the day.

"In 2019, a total of 28,508 online cheating cases were recorded resulting in about RM2.5bil in losses involving 18,130 mule accounts.

"In 2018,23,788 cases were recorded with RM2.8bil in losses involving 13,513 mule accounts," he told a press conference after launching the Semak Mule application and a seminar to strengthen commercial crimes investigation on Wednesday (Oct 7).

The Semak Mule application can be downloaded via Google Play, he added.

"They can also log into the website (http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/) to check whether their accounts or others had been used in scams or other fraudulent activities.

"We hope the public can make full use of the site so that they do not become victims of scammers," he said.

So far, a total of nine million people have accessed the web portal, while 120,000 have downloaded the application, he added.

"I advise the people to be careful when receiving suspicious phone calls.

"Always remember authorities such as the police will only call to set an appointment and not to explain cases in detail.

"All matters concerning cases are handled at the respective offices of the enforcement agencies," he added.

Acryl Sani also urged those who are victims of online scams or cheating cases to come forward and lodge police reports.

"We want to discover the accounts used by the scammers, so that they can be listed on Semak Mule," he added.

Police also have a system in place to protect the Semak Mule portal from being attacked by hackers, Acryl Sani said.

"Scam syndicates have become more sophisticated and complicated.

"The police, especially the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID), must move in line with the change in the trend of crime.

"The use of Semak Mule website is in line with such a move," he said.

Commercial crimes, especially involving online scams and transactions, are on the rise, given the tendency for people to opt for online shopping, he added.