Raising awareness on online love scams: Experts stress the importance of stronger safeguards and public education to protect users from digital fraud.
PETALING JAYA: While regulating dating apps could help in ensuring accountability of platform providers to curb “love scams”, experts suggest a balanced approach.
Cybersecurity Research Centre director at Universiti Sains Malaysia Prof Dr Selvakumar Manickam suggests that implementing identity verification processes within dating apps could deter scammers from creating fake accounts.
However, he warned that regulation alone is insufficient to completely eliminate scams.
"Scammers are resourceful, and over-regulation might stifle innovation or place undue burdens on smaller platforms.
“It’s a matter of finding the right balance—weighing the potential benefits of increased safety against the risks of overreach and unintended consequences.
“But when the government considers the emotional, financial, and even physical damage caused by these scams, prioritising user safety becomes a very important goal,” he said.
Emphasising that public awareness remains critical in addressing the issue, Prof Selvakumar added that platforms must also take direct responsibility for curbing love scams.
He urged the government to develop well-designed campaigns using a mix of various media to educate people about the red flags of online scams and how to protect themselves.
“These campaigns should be specifically targeted at groups known to be more vulnerable, such as older adults, children or those new to cyberspace.
“Partnering with schools, community centres and trusted organisations can help extend the reach and impact of these messages,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) political and social media analyst Assoc Prof Dr Sara Chinnasamy emphasised on user empowerment through informed privacy settings.
She called on platform providers to implement robust safety features, actively monitor harmful content and establish clear reporting systems for users.
She also urged all stakeholders to invest significantly in delivering online safety campaigns targeting children and young people, encouraging behaviour change in response to the diverse risks of online harm.
Prof Sara said that few of these campaigns were effectively evaluated, meaning there is little robust evidence about what works to guide future initiatives and ensure campaign investments deliver results.
“Indeed, it is not clear from existing evidence whether standalone online campaigns can move beyond awareness raising to instigate behaviour change.
"It is vital, then, that online campaigns are more routinely and robustly evaluated for impact and effectiveness, with the results shared across organisations—large and small—within the international community,” she said.
She added that awareness campaigns must also be adopted to local contexts, ensuring they resonate with the experiences of young internet users.
"Co-creating content with local partners and young people is essential for respecting cultural norms and fulfilling their rights.
“Where campaigns are imported from other countries for rollout, they must go through a meaningful process of cultural adaptation,” she said.
In 2021, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) urged internet users to exercise caution when sharing personal information online, particularly on dating platforms.
In 2023, a total of 935 love scam cases were reported in Malaysia, with 196 involving male victims.
However, authorities believe the actual number is higher due to underreporting by male victims.
