PETALING JAYA: The Star Media Group cautions the public against a fake article circulating online that falsely displays the company's name, logo and website design to promote what appears to be an investment scam.
The fabricated report published through a cloaked web link to resemble a Star news report does not appear on the media company's official website and was never produced, published or endorsed by its newsroom.
A cloaked web link usually directs web users to a different landing page as opposed to mobile users.
This particular weblink directs web users to an AI-related website while directing mobile users to the fake news site.
The fraudulent article, motivated to hoodwink readers, falsely claims that former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki is under investigation over RM20mil in undeclared funds before promoting an online investment platform known as "BitVolut".
Among other false claims are that Bank Negara Malaysia discovered RM20mil in unexplained deposits in Azam Baki's personal account with an "investigation and court proceedings against him initiated by the authorities."
The articles also falsely claim that the Star had independently tested and endorsed the purported investment platform and attributed quotes to unnamed Bank Negara officials, prosecutors, lawyers and experts with fabricated testimonials, purported investment returns and fake reader comments in an apparent attempt to persuade readers to register and deposit money.
The Star has never conducted any test of the platform, endorsed its services or encouraged readers to invest through it.
"The perpetrators behind the cloaking have misused the Star's identity and branding to give credibility to false information and lure unsuspecting members of the public. As such, The Star wishes to unequivocally state that the report is entirely fabricated. Readers are advised not to click on any links in the fake article, provide personal or financial information, or transfer money to any platform promoted through such fraudulent webpages."
The Star said the public should verify stories with claim it was purportedly published by it through the company's official website and verified social media accounts.
The Star takes the unauthorised use of its name and intellectual property seriously and will cooperate with the relevant authorities over the misuse of its brand to spread misinformation and facilitate online scams.
