KUALA LUMPUR: Online gaming scams are causing growing concern, with children and teenagers identified as the most vulnerable targets of cybercriminals exploiting the digital value of the e-gaming industry.
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said e-gaming is no longer a small industry, having rapidly grown into a multi-billion-dollar sector worldwide, including in Malaysia, making it one of the most exposed to various forms of cybercrime.
"The e-gaming industry is dominated by teenagers and children, along with adults, with strong participation from Gen Z who are active in Malaysia's e-sports scene," he said during the Safe Internet Campaign segment entitled 'Scam Gaming - Akaun Hilang, Data Melayang' on Bernama Radio Friday (Aug 29).
He said scams often use phishing links offering unrealistic rewards such as free gems, diamonds or game credits to lure users into sharing their personal information.
"For example, gems worth RM100 are offered for free on the condition that players click on a link, enter their ID, log in and provide their account passwords for online games," he said.
Siraj also warned of a more serious threat involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which has reportedly been found on several popular gaming platforms.
"This CSAM, for example, is active on platforms such as Roblox and has been discussed at the global level, including the banning of the platform in countries like Qatar, as well as being a heated topic in the European bloc," he said.
He emphasised that parents hold the primary responsibility for protecting children, rather than placing it solely on teachers or authorities.
According to Siraj, apart from data theft and account breaches, cybercrimes in e-gaming also lead to psychosocial and moral issues, including sexual extortion and the sale of child pornography on closed platforms.
He added that parents need to take proactive steps such as monitoring screen time and the apps used by their children.
Although there is no specific law relating to gaming scams, he said several existing legislation can be applied such as the Computer Crimes Act 1997, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Consumer Protection Act 1999. - Bernama
