Scams are still rampant today, especially after the government took preventative actions such as disabling URL links in SMS.
These scammers seem to be getting more daring, and they have recently started impersonating ministry officials.
Now, you may say that this is nothing new. Still, according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, the syndicate uses “the positions, names, and telephone numbers of the officials listed on the ministryâs website.”
âWe have received calls from the public claiming to have been contacted by ministry officials, and upon verification, it was indeed the ministryâs number.”
She continued, “So far, we have found the names of two ministry officials used for the purpose.”
She added that, as of March 2024, the ministry had deleted more than 30,000 posts on social media platforms that contained elements of fraud, fake investments, and gambling, reported BERNAMA.
âOut of that number, 6,987 posts involved investments and impersonation, while 28,513 involved gambling activities,” she said.
Since scammers have become creative, we should all be wary of phone calls or messages from unknown origins. If they claim to be someone from a certain government organisation, do not give them any of your private information. Better yet, go to the nearest branch and verify with them in person.Â
