Latest news with #RM
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
US officials: US$17mil lost in ATM scam that spread on TikTok
NEW YORK: It took less than three days for US$17mil (RM 71.71mil) to disappear from ATMs across New York in a scam that went viral on TikTok and that city officials say is linked to a youth jobs programme, according to two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. The withdrawals, using payment cards issued to thousands of young people in the programme, should have given users access to only that week's earnings – perhaps several hundred dollars at most. Instead, they opened a spigot of unlimited cash available in sums of US$10,000 (RM 42,185) , US$20,000 (RM 84,370) and even US$40,000 (RM 168,740) per ATM. There were as many as 30,000 cards issued to 14- to 24-year-olds who could not be paid via direct deposit. The fraudulent use, from July 11-13, is being investigated by the city agency that oversees the program and by the Police Department's Financial Crimes Task Force. Some of the young people in the programme were selling their cards for US$1,000 (RM4,218) apiece, according to the law enforcement officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about an active investigation. In videos on TikTok and Instagram around the time the scam was underway, some teenagers and adults boasted about it and encouraged people to sell their cards to them. 'We're making bread; we're printing money right now,' one man said in a video posted on TikTok. Referring to the jobs program, the Summer Youth Employment Program, he added: 'If you work SYEP, hit me up.' Other TikTok users warned people about falling for the 'SYEP scam'. A spokesperson for the agency that oversees the programme, the Department of Youth and Community Development, suggested in a statement that the young people whose cards had been used for illicit activity were victims of criminals who had exploited their naivete. 'We are deeply disturbed by scammers preying on our participants just as they started their work assignments to support themselves and their families,' the spokesperson, Mark Zustovich said. He also said no taxpayer funds had been lost to the fraud; it was not clear who would ultimately be responsible for absorbing the cost of the illicit withdrawals. Many elements of the scam remain unclear, including how it began, what made it possible, how many of the payment cards and ATMs were used, and who exactly made the withdrawals. Zustovich declined to comment on these specifics, including how much money had been taken. The jobs programme is the largest of its kind in the United States, with 100,000 participants this year. It offers young people, many from poor and minority families, what are often their first formal jobs and their first direct interaction with the financial system. Those enrolled in the programme are placed in various industries for six-week stints, with participants ages 16 to 24 paid the US$16.50 (RM69.60) minimum wage for up to 25 hours a week. Younger workers are paid less. About 70 community-based organisations operating under contracts with the city help place the young people in jobs. Participants with bank accounts are paid by direct deposit. Since 2003, those without bank accounts have received payment cards that can be taken to ATMs to obtain their earnings in cash. Roughly 30,000 were set up to be paid by card this year, according to the youth department. The fraud began on a Friday, city officials said. For many in the programme, it was their first payday ever. By that evening, companies that operate ATMs in the city began to get reports that their machines were being plundered, said Youssef Mubarez, chief operating officer of one such company, ATM World Corp. 'Students or other people who had the card just started going to ATMs and pulling out unlimited loads of cash, 10, 15, 20,000 dollars at a time,' he said. He noted that because of withdrawal limits, the money was taken out US$200 (RM843) at time. In at least one instance, he said, the withdrawals went on for an hour straight, with the owner of the store with the ATM oblivious to what was going on. His company estimates that US$400,000 (RM 1.68mil) was taken from its machines, including US$43,000 (RM 181,395) taken from one. The fraudulent activity surged the next night, Mubarez said. By early that Sunday, the cards had been deactivated, and the scam had been halted, the youth department said. In his statement, Zustovich said that this year, as in previous years, part of the jobs programme involved teaching participants financial literacy. In a series of Instagram posts, the department warned participants to beware of scams. 'Keep Your SYEP Money Safe!' the post said. 'Protect Your SYEP Card & Personal Information.' The messages were posted July 14, the day after the scam had been stopped. – ©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
News18
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS' Jin To Livestream Amsterdam Solo Show In Theatres Worldwide
BTS star Jin is expected to perform both his solo tracks and BTS group medleys. BTS member Jin is set to perform solo at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on August 9, and fans around the world won't have to miss a moment. The highly anticipated concert will be livestreamed in movie theatres across multiple countries, giving the global ARMY a chance to be part of the experience. Tickets for the special cinema screenings are already on sale. Fans can find nearby participating theatres and purchase tickets through Jin's official website. Jin's Concert Has Something Extra For ARMY What makes this event even more exciting is the concert setlist. Jin will perform both his solo tracks and BTS group medleys, giving fans a treat similar to finding a bonus track on a favourite album. But this won't be a typical theatre experience. Organisers are going all out, offering screenings on massive screens with powerful sound systems to recreate the feel of being at a live concert in Amsterdam. Some locations are even hosting the event in premium theatres like 'SuperPlex" and 'Gwangeum Cinema" to make the viewing even more immersive. It is being called 'probably better than most concert venues." Bring Your ARMY Bomb and Cheer Along Here is what fans will love the most – unlike regular cinema rules, viewers can bring their 'ARMY Bomb' (BTS' official light stick) and cheer loudly during the show. The live screening will happen on August 10 (Sunday) at 3 PM in 20 theatres across the country, including popular spots like Lotte Cinema World Tower and Konkuk University entrance. Fans will also get photo cards and postcards, just like the special goodies you get with limited edition albums. A trailer for the concert was released on YouTube on July 23, featuring highlights from earlier shows on Jin's #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, which began in Goyang, South Korea, on June 28. The Solo Journey Before the Reunion The Amsterdam concert will be the second-last stop of Jin's first-ever solo tour, which supports his second solo album, Echo. The album was released in May and climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The tour will end the next day with another performance at the same venue. Once the tour wraps, Jin will reunite with BTS members RM, SUGA, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook for a much-awaited comeback in 2026, which will include a new album and world tour, as shared in a group livestream after completing their military duties. In the meantime, fans can enjoy 'Permission to Dance On Stage — Live", BTS's latest live album that dropped on July 18. view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 11:24 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Fake water leak alert lures Hongkonger, 70, into HK$4mil online love scam
The victim is among nearly 20 people who lost HK$10mil in online romance scams over past two weeks. — SCMP Nearly 20 Hongkongers have lost HK$10mil (RM 5.37mil or US$1.3mil) to online romance scams over the past two weeks, with 40% of the victims above the age of 60, according to police. The force said on Wednesday that one of the cases involved a 70-year-old man who was conned out of more than HK$3mil (RM 1.61mil) in life savings and was also left with an additional HK$1mil (RM 537,435) debt.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMJ Energy secures RM 94 million in revenue from crude oil sale
KOTA KINABALU (July 24): SMJ Energy on Thursday announced the successful 10th sale of its crude oil from its Samarang Production Sharing Contract (PSC), generating an estimated RM 94 million in revenue. This latest transaction further solidifies the company's commitment to generating long-term, sustainable value from its operations. Since acquiring a 50% participating interest in the Samarang PSC on May 31, 2023, SMJ Energy's robust performance in the market continues to yield impressive results. Cumulatively, the company has generated an estimated RM1.9 billion in revenue to date, or RM397 million since early 2025 through strategic sales of its crude oil and gas from Samarang PSC. Samarang PSC, located offshore Sabah, is expected to provide continuous and significant revenue streams to SMJ Energy. Samarang PSC also produces and supply gas to Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) and three gas power plants in and around Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The sale of crude oil from the Samarang PSC reinforces SMJ Energy's position as a key player in Sabah's energy sector. The company's operations support the Sabah State Government's goals of driving economic growth, strengthening local content development, and advancing a sustainable energy future.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS' RM, Suga Keep Things Low As They Leave For LA After Stylist's Wedding
RM and Suga were spotted at the airport with their bodyguards and staff members as they left for Los Angeles. BTS is back to making music together after a brief pause. The group's leader, Kim Namjoon, aka RM, and the main producer, Min Yoongi, aka Suga, jetted off to Los Angeles again after attending their stylist's wedding in Seoul, South Korea. The duo was spotted at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, July 23, as they departed for the United States. According to a report by RNX TV, RM and Suga were dressed casually in laid-back outfits, wearing LA Dodgers caps and masks that covered their faces. They tried to keep a low profile as they navigated through the busy airport alongside their bodyguards and staff. Thankfully, this time, they were not hounded by fans. Only a few paparazzi captured their arrival at the airport. RM, Suga And J-Hope Attended Their Stylist's Wedding In South Korea Their low-key appearance came right after the duo, along with J-Hope, were spotted at the wedding of their stylist, Kim Young-jin, also known as Kimvenchy. He got married to his girlfriend Lee Ha Jeong in a private ceremony on July 19 in Seoul. Some of the biggest names in the South Korean entertainment industry attended the festivities, including the three members of BTS and NCT's Doyoung. While RM turned MC for the wedding ceremony, it was Suga who became the centre of attention. It was the rapper's first public appearance after he went low profile following his minor DUI incident back in 2024. While RM and Suga left for Los Angeles yesterday, J-Hope joined the maknae line of the group a day before. Jimin, JK and V are believed to be staying at an undisclosed location as they prepare for their new music. Previous reports stated that BTS would be staying in the States for the next two months to work on their new album, which is scheduled to be released sometime in the first half of 2026. Except Jin, all the members are now in LA. The eldest member of the seven-membered group is currently on his first-ever world tour, titled RunSeokjin EP. Tour, which began on June 28, 2025, in Goyang. He is already towards the end of the US leg of the tour, which will end with two shows each in Tampa and Newark. After this, he is set to perform in London, with the tour concluding altogether in Amsterdam on August 10. Following this, he will join the rest of the BTS members. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
