KUALA LUMPUR:The WhatsApp account of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was hacked using a foreign virtual private network (VPN), according to police.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali (pic) said that after accessing the minister's WhatsApp account, the suspect sent URL links to all his contacts using the application.
"So far, there have been no complaints of individuals suffering losses over the incident," he told a press conference here on Friday (May 30).
"Swift action by the minister’s officers, who immediately reported it, prevented anyone from being deceived.
"We are investigating under Section 4(1) of the Computer Crimes Act 1997."
On Monday (May 26), the Home Minister's office said his WhatsApp account had been hacked and that the matter had been reported to the authorities.
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In another development, Comm Hasbullah said the police busted a phone scam syndicate targeting Japanese nationals in a raid on a three-storey bungalow in Kajang, Selangor on May 13.
He said the raid, conducted by a team from Bukit Aman, also arrested eight suspects – two Chinese nationals and six Japanese nationals aged 23 to 56 – acting as agents of the call centre.
"We also seized seven tablets, a laptop, nine mobile phones, nine modems, a set of scripts and a set of keys," he said, adding that the raid was carried out as a result of intelligence gathering and information on the activities of the suspects.
He said initial investigations found that the syndicate, which had been operating for the past two months, hoodwinked victims by claiming to be the Osaka police.
"The syndicate would send a text message to the target, claiming that police had made an arrest in a fraud case and found a bank card registered in their name.
"The target would then be contacted by voice call supposedly for further 'investigation'.
"They would then be asked to provide personal information and transfer money to an account controlled by the syndicate.
"Once the information and money was obtained, the syndicate would cut off all communication," he said.
It is learnt the two Chinese suspects were charged under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1956/63 on May 22, while the six Japanese suspects will be charged on Tuesday (June 3). – Bernama
