KUALA LUMPUR: Scam syndicates are now creating professional-looking websites that falsely claim to help victims recover their lost funds, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said these websites advertise services for various fraud cases, using fake statistics and testimonials to appear credible.
"In reality, scammers exploit victims’ desperation by carrying out 'secondary scams', causing further financial and psychological harm," he said in a statement on Friday (Feb 13).
Chong warned that these fraudulent platforms also harvest personal data, which is then misused for other illegal activities.
He noted a worrying trend where some victims received calls from illegal moneylenders after providing their details to these sites.
According to Chong, the success rate for recovering funds through such platforms remains "zero".
"I recently received numerous inquiries regarding websites claiming to assist in recovering money. I strongly urge the public to remain vigilant and never trust unknown online information," he said.
He highlighted that as technology advances, syndicates are constantly upgrading their methods, often using stolen images or videos of national leaders to create deceptive advertisements.
Despite widespread media reporting and increased public awareness, Chong said fraud groups continue to flood online platforms with these misleading ads to confuse the public.
