KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have opened 25 investigation papers related to a lucky draw scam involving losses amounting to RM782,616.
Terengganu police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the syndicate had illegally used the name of a local bank to commit the offences between January and June this year.
He said victims received a link to download an APK (Android Package Kit) file via social media, which, when clicked, either directed them to a fake website or immediately downloaded the malicious APK file.
“This action allows the suspects to gain full control of the victim’s device, enabling them to read TAC/OTP messages sent by the bank and access banking or e-wallet applications.
“The suspect would then carry out repeated transactions without the victim’s knowledge, causing losses amounting to tens of thousands of ringgit,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
DCP Mohd Khairi said the police are working with banks and Bank Negara to trace the transactions and identify the mule account holders.
He advised the public not to fall for suspicious offers on social media.
“Never share OTP information with anyone, and immediately report to the Scam Response Centre at 997, or via the portal https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my,” he said.
