KUALA LUMPUR: Scam syndicates offering part-time jobs often rely on social media platforms and instant messaging apps to lure victims.
Their bait promises high income within a short period, but the catch is that victims are required to make an upfront payment.
“They would entice potential victims by offering high-paying part-time jobs via social media platforms.
“These scammers also rely on messaging apps. However, victims are told to make payments before the job can be secured,” Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa (pic) said when contacted yesterday.
He stressed that no legitimate employer would require an upfront payment in exchange for employment.
“If it is truly a legitimate part-time job offer, the prospective employer will not require the applicants to pay for it,” he said.
“If the job offer is too good to be true, then better not go through with the job application process.
“They should also refrain from sharing personal or banking information with unknown parties and lodge a police report immediately if they suspect they have fallen victim to a scam,” he said.
Comm Rusdi said the CCID will continue to intensify prevention efforts, investigations and enforcement action to combat such crimes.
Besides lodging a police report, he said anyone who suspects they may have been involved in or fallen victim to scams, particularly those related to part-time job offers, should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) 997 hotline for early intervention.
“Swift action is crucial to enable authorities to trace and freeze the flow of funds involved and to carry out further investigations to prevent the continued spread of scam-related crimes,” he said.
Comm Rusdi said a total of 8,926 part-time job scams were recorded, resulting in RM222.9mil in losses last year.
“It is an increase of 5,271 cases or 144.2%, compared to 3,655 cases in 2024.
“The number of losses also showed a sharp spike of 79.8% last year, compared to RM123.9mil losses in 2024,” he said.
“The surge indicates that such scams are not only becoming more widespread but are also inflicting substantial financial harm on victims,” he said.
