21/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 21, 2025

3 Scammers ‘zero in’ on target before executing ruse

Ministry to lodge reports over fake news on MyKiosk PUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will file police reports and complaints to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) following the circulation of several videos and false news regarding the MyKiosk project. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said he has instructed the Local Government Department to identify the individuals or parties spreading the fake news. “The ministry’s staff are actively compiling all the videos spreading false information. If you want to spread fake news, go ahead, but we will also take stern action,” he said after the pre-launch ceremony of the Minister’s Excellence Awards and Media Excellence Awards 2025 here yesterday. Nga said the ministry will lodge a complaint with the MCMC to enable an investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. When asked about calls for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene and investigate the MyKiosk project, Nga said he is ready to cooperate if an investigation is conducted. Responding to allegations that the ministry appointed its own contractors for the MyKiosk installations, Nga clarified that the claim is untrue, as all 795 contractors involved were appointed by 156 local authorities nationwide. Nga said the ministry only provides funding, while the local authorities handle other aspects such as contractor selection and kiosk location. On claims that the cost of MyKiosk units is too high, Nga said the cost is justified due to upgrades in the MyKiosk 2.0 model, which includes features like solar panels and long-lasting batteries, LED lighting, ambient LED lights and LED signage. – Bernama Call for early HFMD screenings to curb spread PUTRAJAYA: Childcare centre and kindergarten operators are urged to carry out early symptom screenings to curb the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said cooperation from childcare centre and kindergarten operators in conducting screenings, including monitoring for signs of infection on children’s hands, feet and mouth, is crucial to prevent further spread of the disease. He reminded parents to observe basic hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, sanitising shared toys and ensuring clean restroom facilities. “We advise the public not to panic, as preventative measures are actively being implemented. “What we need now is community cooperation, especially from childcare centre and kindergarten operators,” he said after launching the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Erectile Dysfunction here yesterday. On May 12, the ministry reported that as of the 17th epidemiological week ending April 26, a total of 99,601 HFMD cases were recorded nationwide, marking a 266% increase, compared with 27,236 cases during the same period last year.

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE AND FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

to work closely with Malaysia and expressed hope that this collaboration will further strengthen in future efforts to combat cybercrime. Jetton highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and encrypted technologies are key areas of concern, noting that law enforcement agencies often face challenges in keeping up with the fast-evolving tools employed by cybercriminals. “My team focuses a lot on how we can keep up with these technologies, though we’re not necessarily the subject matter experts in AI to help us respond effectively,” he said. – Bernama and where they live.” Tun Kamalul urged scam victims to contact police immediately, stressing that swift action can reduce losses. Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya Computer Science and Technology Department professor Dr Nor Badrul Anuar Juma’at raised the alarm over a worrying rise in cyberstalking through fake utility apps such as flashlight or QR code scanner apps. “These apps often abuse permissions to harvest contacts, keystrokes or media files,” he said in an email to theSun. “Some are distributed via sideloaded APKs on WhatsApp or third-party sites, bypassing Google Play’s security.” He also cited malware hidden in customised Android ROMs, targeting niche communities. Despite Malaysia’s growing pool of cybersecurity professionals, including those in CyberSecurity Malaysia, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and local universities, Nor Badrul said challenges remain in tracking cyberstalking cases. “Real-time threat intelligence sharing, the legal admissibility of digital evidence and resource limitations in enforcement are still major hurdles. “Stalkerware often uses encryption and remote command and-control servers hosted abroad, making attribution nearly impossible without international cooperation.” He called for clearer legal definitions and regulations around digital stalking and spyware, alongside stronger public education efforts. “Cybersecurity is still widely seen as a technical issue rather than a personal responsibility.” While efforts by CyberSecurity Malaysia and NGOs have helped, he said more targeted campaigns are needed, particularly for women, teenagers and vulnerable groups. Universiti Malaya runs its own public awareness initiative at https://cybersafe.um.edu.my, he added.

o Selection not random as background checks on financial status would be carried out on potential prey that usually comprises

PETALING JAYA: Scammers aren’t casting wide nets – they are zeroing in. Individuals with substantial savings are often in the crosshairs, as scammers increasingly “weed out” potential victims through careful profiling rather than random selection. IT professional in the cybersecurity field, Tun Kamalul Zaman, said scammers typically conduct background research and build a profile of their target before executing a ruse. He added that there are many scams existing today but the most common ones that involve millions of ringgit in losses are investment scams, phishing scams and data breaches. “They always study their targets first. They do what we call their own research. These type of scammers

business owners, pensioners and women, says IT expert

don’t just go for anybody. “They are very selective on who they want to prey on,” Tun Kamalul told theSun . He said apart from business owners, scammers would also target pensioners and women. “They will run background checks to find out how much their victims have in their savings and EPF (Employees Provident Fund) accounts. He said scammers typically begin by buying leaked personal data, with the victims’ phone numbers ending up in the hands

of syndicates. “So

when claim scammers randomly pick victims – I’d disagree. In fact, they don’t,” said Tun Kamalul, adding that data breaches often trace back to telecommunication companies. “These phone numbers usually come attached with names and identification card numbers. From there, scammers can cross reference with other databases for other details such as vehicle registration numbers and home addresses. “They can estimate a person’s worth based on the car they drive people

Tun Kamalul said there are many scams existing today but the most common ones that involve millions of ringgit in losses are investment scams, phishing scams and data breaches. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Phishing likely most widespread threat: Interpol KUALA LUMPUR: Online scams and phishing remain the most prevalent global cyber threats, with criminals leveraging increasingly whether for romantic, business or financial opportunities,”he said after the opening of the inaugural Cyber Games 2025 yesterday.

The urgency of the issue is evident in Malaysia’s statistics, with ransomware incidents rising by a staggering 78% in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting the increasing complexity and scale of cyber threats locally. When asked about Malaysia’s capacity to tackle such threats, Jetton commended the Royal Malaysian Police for their dedication and proactive efforts in combating cybercrime. “I’ve had several interactions with Malaysian police, and I can speak very positively about their efforts. Cybercrime in general is just very difficult,” he said. He added that Interpol continues

sophisticated tactics to deceive victims, said Interpol Cybercrime Directorate head Dr Neal Jetton. He said most cybercrimes observed across Asia and globally stem from social engineering attacks, such as phishing, ransomware and business email compromise. “Phishing-related scams are likely the most widespread cyber threat today, not just in Malaysia or the Asia Pacific, but globally. “These often involve emails or messages that appear legitimate,

Jetton, who is based in Singapore, stressed that cybercrime is both a regional and global challenge, noting that approximately 75 to 80% of cyber incidents worldwide involve a human element, most commonly through phishing. Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which criminals impersonate trusted sources via emails or messages to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords, financial credentials or personal data.