QuickCheck: Are syndicates using social media to sell fake driving licences?

GETTING a driving licence is a right of passage for many Malaysians. Having one means you are mobile and are free to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

However, it can be a tough achievement to get as learning how to drive can be very difficult for some. Difficult enough for the more unscrupulous among us to look for a short cut.

And lately, these "short cuts" have seemingly popped up on social media.

Is it true that scammers are using social media to sell fake driving licences?

Verdict:

TRUE

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) says it has discovered various social media pages and accounts promising to issue driving licenses cheaply and easily but not according to the conditions set and not legally valid.

According to the statement, these pages and accounts have been set up by syndicates that use social media to promote their illegal services.

They claim that the licences that they issue are difficult for the authorities to detect their authenticity.

"Be informed that a legally issued driver's license must follow the established procedures and procedures for training and competent driving tests," said the statement.

"JPJ would like to remind the public to always be careful with such syndicates, which use various methods and different communication techniques to influence the public's thinking."

The statement added that JPJ was working with the police as well as the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to determine the account owners of the social media pages involved.

"JPJ would like to emphasize that having an invalid license is an offence under Section 108 of Act 333.

"Driving without a valid license not only breaks the law, but also exposes you to the risk of accidents that endanger your own life and that of others," it added.

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