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New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Police: E-commerce scams cost Malaysians RM63mil in six months
KUALA LUMPUR: KUALA LUMPUR: E-commerce fraud continues to rise at an alarming rate, with over RM63 million in losses recorded in the first six months of 2025. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a total of 5,252 cases were reported between January and June this year, involving multiple digital platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok and He said the most common modus operandi involved fake sellers offering non-existent items, which were never delivered despite payment made by victims. "Other tactics include fraudulent websites designed to appear legitimate, which are used to steal personal and financial information, as well as phishing attacks via email or messaging apps that impersonate e-commerce companies," he told reporters today. Rusdi said some scams also involve false refund claims and the use of stolen credit cards in online transactions. "E-commerce fraud cases have remained persistently high in recent years, with 9,247 cases involving RM139 million in losses in 2022, 10,372 cases involving nearly RM175 million in losses in 2023, and 7,662 cases involving RM70.8 million in losses last year. "Between January and June this year, 5,252 cases have already been reported involving RM63.9 million in losses. "We urge consumers to only perform transactions on trusted, reputable platforms, and to check reviews and ratings from previous buyers before making purchases. "Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your identification number or bank details carelessly. Use secure and traceable payment methods, and be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true," he said. Rusdi also advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activity to the authorities to help curb this growing threat.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Police: E-commerce scams cost Malaysians RM63mil in six months
KUALA LUMPUR: E-commerce fraud continues to rise at an alarming rate, with over RM63 million in losses recorded in just the first six months of 2025. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a total of 5,252 cases were reported between January and June this year, involving multiple digital platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok and He said the most common modus operandi involved fake sellers offering non-existent items, which were never delivered despite payment made by victims. "Other tactics include fraudulent websites designed to appear legitimate, which are used to steal personal and financial information, as well as phishing attacks via email or messaging apps that impersonate e-commerce companies," he told reporters today.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Fashion dupes are everywhere – but are they crossing the legal line?
Fashion "dupes', or less expensive versions of high-end clothing and other accessories, are just about everywhere these days. They're also drawing some businesses into legal battles. In the latest example, Lululemon slapped a lawsuit against Costco on Friday (June 27), accusing the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure apparel. Across the retail industry, it's far from a new phenomenon. But social media is pushing the culture of online dupe shopping to new heights as influencers direct their followers to where they can buy the knockoffs. Want a taste of Hermes' US$1,000 (approximately RM4,215) fuzzy slippers? Target has a version for US$15 (RM63). Looking for a US$2,800 (RM11,800) Bottega Veneta hobo bag? There's a version for US$99 (RM417) on online clothing and accessories upstart Quince, which has become a go-to for fashionistas. It's not even the first time Lululemon has encountered what it says are knockoffs of its clothing, which often carry steep price tags of over US$100 (RM421) each for leggings and sporty zip-ups. Without specifying additional sellers beyond Costco in Friday's (June 27) complaint, Lululemon noted that a handful companies have "replicated or copied' its apparel to sell cheaper offerings – including those popularised online through hashtags like "LululemonDupes' on TikTok and other social media platforms. For years, companies have rolled out a range of cheaper option for consumers to buy instead of pricey name-brands or designer labels – often through retailers' house or generic brands. Read more: Turmoil or not, luxury fashion can't afford to ignore the Middle East region Unlike more direct copies of the product with an unauthorised trademark or logo of a patented brand, "pure' dupes that just resemble certain features are generally legitimate. They can even spark awareness of the original items. But the rising frenzy for dupes, particularly in the fashion space, signals that many shoppers want a taste of luxury, but no longer want to pay for (or care about) getting the real thing. Late last year, for example, discount chain Walmart created a buzz when it started selling a leather bag online that resembled Hermes' coveted Birkin bag. The US$78 (RM329) item – sold by Kamugo, which doesn't appear to have its own website – was a fraction of the price of the original, which goes from US$9,000 (RM37,930) to hundreds of thousands of dollars on resale and auction sites. Influencers labelled the leather bag a "wirkin'. Other suppliers including BestSPR, YMTQ and Judy were listed on Walmart's site selling similar totes. While popular among shoppers, these kind of look-alikes can frustrate the targeted companies. Following the viral fame of the "wirkin', Hermes executive chairman Axel Dumas shared his annoyance, for example. "Making a copy like this is quite detestable,' Dumas said in a corporate earnings call in February. Still, he acknowledged that it was "quite touching' to see so many consumers want a bag with the Birkin style – and that "difference in quality' was still evident, noting that nobody bought the dupe thinking it was from Hermes. Alexandra Roberts, a professor of law and media at Northeastern University, said that "the term 'dupe' itself doesn't tell us much about legality", noting the word has also been used to describe more traditional counterfeits. But overall, dupes can move into shaky legal territory, including copyright and trademark infringement, particularly if a dupe marketer makes false claims about the duplicate or the original. "With fashion, in particular, we're going to get into some thorny questions," Roberts said. That includes what intellectual property rights exist and how enforceable they are, she explained, and whether there is actual infringement or if a product is just "positioning itself as a less expensive alternative'. Often such disputes boil down trademark questions around consumer confusion or patented product designs. Several businesses have already put this to the test, but not always successfully. In December, for example, Benefit lost a lawsuit in California over Elf's US$6 (RM25) Lash 'N Roll mascara, which is similar to Benefit's US$29 (RM122) Roller Lash mascara. The judge's decision was "a resounding win for us', Elf CEO Tarang Amin previously said. "The basic reality is we always put our E.l.f. twist on it,' he said. "It's an E.l.f. product that's a much better value.' In its lawsuit, Lululemon argued that Costco had "unlawfully traded' on Lululemon's reputation and that it was suing as part of wider intellectual property enforcement "directed to retailers who have chosen to copy rather than compete.' Lululemon accuses Costco of making duplicates of several products, including its popular Scuba hoodies, Define jackets and ABC pants. Lululemon says one of the duplicates that Costco sells is the Hi-Tec Men's Scuba Full Zip, with the lawsuit showing a screenshot image of Costco's website showing the item priced at US$19.97 (RM84). Roberts said she was "a little skeptical' of some of Lululemon's claims, noting that the design patents in particular could be hard to challenge. And she pointed to Lululemon's asserting common law trade dress over a "triangle kind of shape in the crotch region' of the ABC pants. "My first reaction as a trademark expert is that looks pretty functional,' she said, and functional matter is not protected under trademark law. "I was just cracking up because that particular claim seemed really far-fetched to me. Those pants look really basic." Still, Roberts noted that Lululemon had some plausible claims. Read more: Why is Jonathan Anderson's first Dior show at Paris Fashion Week so significant? Lululemon alleges that Costco is known to use manufacturers of popular branded products for its private label Kirkland brand, although the companies involved don't clearly reveal that information to customers. Due to this, Lululemon claims some shoppers may believe that Kirkland-branded products are made by the authentic supplier of the "original' products. Roberts said this could rule in Lululemon's favour as something that "weighs toward consumer confusion'. Still, she noted that most of the products Lululemon mentioned in its complaint weren't sold under the Kirkland brand, which could undermine the argument. A message was left Tuesday (July 1) seeking comment from Costco on the lawsuit. Lululemon found itself in a similar dispute with Peloton in 2021, when it sued the exercise bike company over alleged "copycat products' in its then-new clothing lines. Two years later, the companies announced a five-year partnership that included Lululemon becoming the primary athletic apparel partner to Peloton. – AP
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
MOHE urges Malaysian students in Iran to leave immediately
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) has urged Malaysian students currently in Iran to leave the country immediately and report to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran following the escalating situation there. Its deputy minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said so far, four Malaysian students have been identified as studying in Qom and Isfahan, and are currently safe. Their families have also been informed of the latest developments. 'In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are asking all these students to register with the embassy to facilitate evacuation procedures. 'From a safety standpoint, they need to leave Iran as soon as possible, as we do not want any untoward incidents to occur given the increasingly critical conflict,' he told reporters after officiating the 25th anniversary celebration of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) here today. The Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, in her capacity as USIM Chancellor, officiated the ceremony. Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry issued an advisory for all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country immediately due to the increasingly tense security situation following Israel's aggressive actions against Iran. In a statement, the ministry said the situation in Iran remains volatile and could deteriorate without prior warning. Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated since last Friday following an unprovoked airstrike by Israel on Iranian territory, reportedly killing several senior military officials and scientists. Meanwhile, USIM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifudin Md Shaarani said to date, the university hosts 14,000 students, including more than 700 international students from over 30 countries, forming a diverse and global academic community. 'In terms of research, USIM has undertaken 2,476 projects since 2000, with total funding exceeding RM102 million from various sources, including university, national, industry and international grants. 'For instance, national-level contributions amounted to RM63 million, while private sector and non-governmental organisations contributed more than RM14 million,' he said, adding that USIM has produced over 37,000 alumni to date.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian students in Iran urged to leave immediately
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry has urged Malaysian students currently in Iran to leave the country immediately and report to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran following the escalating situation there. Its deputy minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said so far, four Malaysian students have been identified as studying in Qom and Isfahan, and are currently safe. Their families have also been informed of the latest developments. "In collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, we are asking all these students to register with the embassy to facilitate evacuation procedures. "From a safety standpoint, they need to leave Iran as soon as possible, as we do not want any untoward incidents to occur given the increasingly critical conflict,' he told reporters after officiating the 25th anniversary celebration of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) here on Wednesday (June 18). The Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, in her capacity as USIM Chancellor, officiated the ceremony. On Tuesday (June 17) the Foreign Ministry issued an advisory for all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country immediately due to the increasingly tense security situation following Israel's aggressive actions against Iran. In a statement, the ministry said the situation in Iran remains volatile and could deteriorate without prior warning. Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated since last Friday following an unprovoked airstrike by Israel on Iranian territory, reportedly killing several senior military officials and scientists. Meanwhile, USIM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifudin Md Shaarani said to date, the university hosts 14,000 students, including more than 700 international students from over 30 countries, forming a diverse and global academic community. "In terms of research, USIM has undertaken 2,476 projects since 2000, with total funding exceeding RM102mil from various sources, including university, national, industry and international grants. "For instance, national-level contributions amounted to RM63 million, while private sector and non-governmental organisations contributed more than RM14mil,' he said, adding that USIM has produced over 37,000 alumni to date.
