WHO DO YOU CALL?

SHOULD you encounter cyber scams, lodge a complaint with MCMC (www.mcmc.gov.my) and via the police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) at 03-2610 1559 for suspicious transactions.

You can also check suspicious sellers’ telephone numbers and bank accounts via the “Semak Mule” application or portal.

Another resource you can tap into is the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. You can lodge complaints through the ministry’s portal (https://eaduan.kpdnhep.gov.my), email [e-mail], Ez ADU KPDNHEP smartphone app, WhatsApp [phone] or call the Enforcement Command Centre (03-8882 6245/6088).

There are currently two existing legal provisions that serve to control the design, publication and dissemination of fake news, that being the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998).

Under CMA 1998, Section 233 states that improper use of social media and electronic media as a platform to disseminate inaccurate and inappropriate information with intent to offend, harass, threaten or disturb others can carry a fine of up to RM50,000, jail up to one year, or both.

Section 505(b) of the Penal Code states that whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public carries a sentence of imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or both.