JOHOR BARU: Police are warning the public about an emerging scam in which conmen gain access to victims' mobile banking applications and empty their accounts without their knowledge.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the "SIM swap" scam, while not yet widespread, has already ensnared several victims, with some losing thousands of ringgit.
Ramli said scammers typically impersonate law enforcement officers and tell victims that their accounts are "under investigation".
Under this pretext, the scammer would instruct victims to register a phone number given to them in their mobile banking applications to "facilitate investigations".
This gives the scammers access to the account, enabling them to conduct transactions.
Ramli said the scammers prey on victims who crumble under pressure when receiving calls from strangers claiming to be police or other law enforcement officers.
"Police protocols are clear; we do not ask for monies to be transferred or bank account details." he said.
He also advised the public to remain vigilant and not to be easily deceived by impersonators.
"Always verify the legitimacy of requests to update account details by contacting your bank
directly through official channels.
"Safeguard personal information and avoid sharing sensitive details over the phone or through unsolicited communications."
Ramli said people should also regularly monitor their bank accounts for unauthorised transactions and enable multi-factor authentication for added security.
"If targeted by a SIM swap scam, act quickly by contacting your bank to secure your accounts and report the incident to the National Scam Response Centre to prevent further losses."
He advised the public to stay informed on scam tactics through CCID's social media platforms.