Kuala Lumpur: Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Telegram have been identified as the primary online platforms favored by scammers for committing fraud, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He stated that scams on these platforms have resulted in losses amounting to hundreds of millions of ringgit.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted that in 2023 alone, fraud through Facebook is estimated to have reached RM500 million. While the latest figures are not yet available, it is expected that the overall amount will be significantly higher. Information from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department suggests that around 14 different types of scams are conducted through social media, alongside scams carried out via phone calls and face-to-face interactions.

Fahmi provided these insights after officiating the Ihsan MADANI programme, which was also attended by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. He emphasized that the widespread use of these platforms in Malaysia makes them attractive targets for scammers, as many users are easily deceived.

To combat this issue, Fahmi announced that an extensive online fraud awareness campaign will soon be launched, beginning at the school level. The campaign aims to educate parents and students on safe social media practices and how to avoid falling victim to scams.

Additionally, Fahmi mentioned that several measures have been implemented to address scam crimes, including the licensing of social media platforms, tightening regulations, and introducing a new definition of scam crimes through amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act, recently passed in Parliament. These initiatives are expected to aid law enforcement and related agencies in taking stricter actions to curb the occurrence of scam crimes.