-Bernama filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine police reports have been lodged over a phishing scam using a recycling service, involving RM249,693 in losses.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf (pic) said the scam involved an offer to buy used items under the guise of a recycling service on Facebook.
"Through the advertisement, the suspects offer to buy used items such as mobile gadgets, clothing and old newspapers.
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"Victims who intend to sell such items are then told to register under a 'Home Solution' application (which they download) via a link sent over WhatsApp," he told a press conference here on Tuesday (July 23).
After registering, victims are then required to pay RM10 as a deposit, supposedly to book a slot for collection of the used items.
"Victims will then be directed to a page with a fake banking website designed to get the vitims' data and passwords.
"After entering their information, victims will subsequently be unable to access the website as it is supposedly under maintenance," he said, adding that the victims' phones would also be hacked.
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"They would only realise they have been duped after finding out their money has been transferred without their knowledge," he said.
Comm Ramli said phishing involves criminals trying to get personal details, passwords, credit card numbers and other sensitive data by posing as a trusted entity.
"Such attacks are usually conducted through email, text messages or fake websites," he added.
Comm Ramli advised the public to always be wary and not download any application from links sent via email and text messages.
"Only download applications via safe platforms such as Google Play and the App Store," he added.
