MIRI: Councillor Jeffery Phang has called on the people to be more vigilant against scammers who are getting more creative by the day.
He said this was bacause scammers are getting smarter and taking advantage of new technology, new products or services and major events to create believable stories that will convince the victims to give their money or personal details.
Phang who represented Minister of Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin at the launching of a one day forum on cyber crimes and scams, said scams target people from all backgrounds.
“All of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time … scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you’re not expecting it,” he told some 50 attendees of the forum on Tuesday.
Therefore, Phang pointed out that it is crucial that the public is always alert because scams exist.
“We don’t expect you or your loved ones to unplug yourselves from the internet, but we do want you to stay safe online, so familiarise yourself with some of the common internet scams and take proactive measures so that you can avoid them (scammers),” he stressed.
Phang said, scammers have come up with various types of tactics, such as online dating and love scam, investment scam, parcel scams, Macau scam, job scam and the latest being phishing where scammers use email or text messages to trick victims into giving their personal and financial details.
“That is why, people need to learn how to avoid these scammers,” he said.
Also present during the forum were Federation of Chinese Association Miri Division president Dato David Goh Kien Ping, Mayor Adam Yii , Miri pilice chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu and Miri Police Division Head of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief DSP Loh Wooi Kee.
