Latest news with #Roslan
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Vigilant M'sians wising up to scams
OH, Malaysia – land of nasi lemak, humid weather, and unfortunately, con artists who work harder than a kopitiam aunty during breakfast rush. If you have not received a call from 'PosLaju', 'Maybank' or a serious-sounding 'officer' from Bukit Aman threatening to freeze your MyKad – are you even Malaysian? Let us begin with the infamous 'police call' scam. You answer a lucky number and you are knee-deep in drama. 'Salam sir, ini Inspector Roslan dari Bukit Aman. Nama kamu terlibat dalam kes melibatkan sindiket dadah dan 17 akaun palsu di Sabah.' (Salam, sir. This is Inspector Roslan from Bukit Aman. Your name has been linked to a drug syndicate and 17 fake accounts in Sabah.) One minute you are waiting in line for roti canai and the next, you are apparently a criminal mastermind. On top of that, the scammers will generously offer to 'help clear your name' – for a small, totally-not-fishy bank transfer to a third-party account, of course. Then there is the 'PosLaju' version. They call and tell you that your package has been seized because it contains something illegal, like drugs or fake credit cards, and somehow your name is in the middle of it. You are wondering: 'I only bought baju kurung from Shopee, how did this spiral into a global crime?' Not to be outdone, the 'Macau scam' (not named for where it originated but for how flashy it is) is the most upscale of all cons. They mix police impersonation with bank warnings and even go so far as to claim to be Bank Negara officials. These fellows work together better than a kenduri caterer, and their condescension? Olympic standards. They talk so fast and earnestly that you start questioning yourself if you did unintentionally start a money laundering operation in your sleep. Romance scams have also found a ground in our tropical paradise. Some isolated aunty thinks she has met her soulmate on Facebook – maybe a gruff, widowed army medic supposedly trapped in Syria or an oil rig worker in the South China Sea who, oddly enough, types like he is using Google Translate. Before you know it, she has sent RM20,000 for visa fees, emergency flights or 'life-saving surgery'. And all this without even a single Zoom date. And who can forget the classic 'scratch and win' scams of the early 2000s? Some overly enthusiastic guy at the mall hands you a scratch card that declares you've 'won a car' – but first, of course, you have to fork out RM5,000 in 'processing fees'. Malaysians were led to believe they could be cruising around in a brand new Toyota Vios soon, only to walk away with a pressure cooker and deep regret for existing. The internet age has not left us lagging too. WhatsApp scams are going strong globally and right here at home. 'Hi mummy, I've lost my number. Please transfer RM3,000 to this account – I lost my phone.' You are frantic. Your child is stranded! But wait – your child is five years old. Can barely write, let alone use online banking. And, praise be to God for the fearless scammers now boldly masquerading as Maybank. You get a text: 'Your Maybank2u account is locked. Click this link to verify.' The link, of course, looks like it came straight out of a phishing-themed action movie: Even the grammar gives up halfway through. But the real cherry on top? Scammers pretending to be officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, accusing you of graft. Imagine-lah – you, still bargaining over 20 sen at the pasar malam, somehow laundering millions. Seriously, it would almost be flattering... if it weren't such a facepalm moment. And Malaysians God bless us –we are a polite lot. Even when we are suspicious, we still listen. We politely respond with 'hmm' and 'oh really?' through the entire scam call because we do not want to be impolite. Then we hang up and immediately tell our cousin: 'I think I kena scam just now.' But it is not all bad news. The tide, my friends, is turning! Malaysians are no longer so easily swayed by a sob story from a mysterious 'Syrian general' or promises of a free car (which, let's be honest, would probably be a Proton Saga from 1992 anyway). There is a growing wave of public vigilance so strong you can almost hear the collective 'tsks' of disappointment from scammers nationwide. Recent reports from the National Scam Response Centre – bless their diligent hearts – read like the beginning of a superhero origin story. In just the first three months of 2024, they reportedly recovered over RM20 million. That is enough to buy a small island – or at the very least, a lifetime supply of kuih muih. This just goes to show that quick action and a good old-fashioned dose of Malaysian skepticism can make a difference. Even our beloved police are getting in on the act, sharing scam warnings on social media like gossip at a pasar malam. They are dropping knowledge bombs on new scam tactics faster than a mamak can whip up a roti canai banjir. As a result, aunty now wisely calls her children before transferring money. Uncle and this makcik no longer answer unknown numbers. And the cats? Even they are wise – no longer trusting the postman when he claims he is delivering a package of tuna – they know it is probably just another bill. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Thus, my dear Malaysians, remain vigilant. If anyone tells you that you owe the LHDN money or that there is a package addressed to you with meth inside, take a deep breath, brew yourself a cup of teh tarik and repeat the following: if it sounds daft, it probably is. And if you suddenly 'win' a Perodua Myvi for doing absolutely nothing, just chuckle, delete the message and go win a real one from a petrol station lucky draw like the rest of us. Scamlah... not today. Azura Abas is the associate editor of theSun. Comments: letters@
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Johor retiree loses RM108,000 to Macau scam
TANGKAK: A 58-year-old woman lost RM108,000 of her savings to scammers impersonating government officers. Tangkak OCPD Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said the suspects contacted the retiree claiming to be from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police. 'The suspects accused her of being involved in suspicious investment and loan activities, causing her to panic," he said here on Monday (June 2). 'The suspects manipulated the victim into believing she was being audited. "Out of fear, she followed their instructions, transferring money supposedly for audit purposes." Supt Roslan said the victim made a total of 16 transactions totalling RM108,520 to two accounts provided by the suspects. She later realised she had been cheated and lodged a report on Sunday (June 1), he added. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Supt Roslan advised the public not to fall for such telephone scams, or Macau scams, where callers pose as enforcement or government agency officers and accuse their targets of wrongdoing. 'Verify any suspicious calls before taking action. "Be cautious and always get the latest updates on scams through official platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department,' he said. Any suspected scams should be reported to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 for early intervention in blocking fund transfers, he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Pensioner loses over RM100,000 to scam syndicate
TANGKAK: A 58-year-old female pensioner lost RM108,520 to a scam syndicate. Tangkak police chief Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said the woman claimed it all started on May 9 when she was contacted by two men, one of them claiming to be an officer from the Communications and Multimedia Commission and the other, who claimed to be a police officer. He said the woman was told that she was wanted in a fraud case involving investments and non-existent loans, and to transfer the money in her account to a given bank account to facilitate investigations of the case. 'The woman did as was told and transferred her money, in 16 transactions, to two given bank accounts, suspected to be ' mule accounts,'' he said in a statement today. Roslan said the woman lodged a police report yesterday, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. He also advised the public who are victims of fraud to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 as an initial action to block the outflow of money from the suspect's account.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Panic over bogus audit call leaves woman RM108,520 poorer
TANGKAK: A 58-year-old woman became RM108,000 poorer after she was duped by scammers posing as officers from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police. The victim received a phone call on May 9 from an individual who claimed she was under investigation for her involvement in a non-existent investment and loan fraud scheme. District police chief Superintendent Roslan Mohd Talib said the caller's convincing impersonation triggered panic, prompting the victim to comply with instructions to "cooperate" by transferring funds from her bank accounts for audit purposes. "She was told her bank account was being investigated and needed to be audited. "She was then instructed to transfer all her savings to two third-party accounts," he said in a statement today. Roslan said the victim made 16 transactions amounting to RM108,520. She lodged a police report yesterday after attempts to contact the bogus officers failed. Roslan urged the public to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious calls claiming to be from enforcement or government agencies. "Do not panic. Always cross-check through official sources before taking action. Scammers rely on fear and urgency to manipulate victims," he added. He also encouraged the public to stay updated on scam tactics via the Commercial Crime Investigation Department's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Those who believe they have been scammed are advised to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via the 997 hotline to initiate prompt action to freeze fraudulent accounts.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Teen killed, friend injured in motorcycle-lorry crash in Melaka
TANGKAK: A public university student was killed and his friend sustained serious injuries after the motorcycle they were riding collided with a lorry at Km7.8 of the Alor Gajah – Melaka Tengah – Jasin (AMJ) Highway. In the 12.40pm accident yesterday, the 19-year-old student, who was the pillion rider, died while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Fatimah Muar Specialist Hospital (HPSF). Tangkak district police chief Superintendent Roslan Mohd Talib said the youth's friend, also 19, was being treated for serious injuries at the same hospital. "The accident occurred when the 50-year-old lorry driver was attempting to make a left turn to a junction. "The motorcycle carrying both youths was unable to avoid the lorry and crashed into its side," he said. "The impact left them seriously injured and they were rushed to HPSF. However, at 2.45pm the same day, the pillion rider was pronounced dead." Investigations are ongoing under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, he added. Roslan urged witnesses or anyone with information on the incident to contact investigating officer Inspector Nurhisyam Syafiq Mat Lopa at 013-9825324.
