QuickCheck: Are scammers posing as VIPs to trick people?

RECENTLY, it has been claimed that scammers are impersonating VIPs such as national leaders or chief executive officers of major organisations to deceive people. Is this really happening?

VERDICT:

TRUE

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued a warning on Saturday (June 4) advising the public to be wary of emails using profiles (names and photos) of national leaders, heads of organisations, or companies that give unusual instructions to the recipient.

It said that recipients of such emails should not share it with any party, and must check and verify its authenticity.

“This is to avoid becoming a victim of malicious and fraudulent activities.

“Dissemination of false content can be subject to legal action under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” it said in a statement.

The reminder was issued following complaints from the public regarding unverified emails that have been screen captured and disseminated through an online messaging application, Bernama reported.

The MCMC also reminded the public to check with the party whose profile or identity is used and lodge a police report if the content of the email is false, to ensure appropriate action can be taken against the scammers.

PEMBERITAHUAN : AWAS SCAM MESEJ MELALUI E-MEL MENGGUNAKAN IDENTITI PEMIMPIN NEGARA ATAU KETUA ORGANISASI ATAUPUN SYARIKAT pic.twitter.com/ephrgnTrml — MCMC (@MCMC_RASMI) June 4, 2022