Scam Alert: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s WhatsApp Account Hacked
The Scam
Scammers have hacked Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s WhatsApp account and defrauded some of his contacts out of thousands of ringgit. The scam began on March 25, with the scammers using his phone number and profile picture to message hundreds of his contacts.
How the Scam Works
The scammers started their messages with a simple greeting before asking to borrow an amount of money from the contacts, with the promise of transferring the funds back to them the following day. Some of Johari’s contacts were suspicious of the message, while others believed the request was genuine.
Victims of the Scam
Johari revealed that one of his friends lost as much as RM20,000 in the scam. It is unclear how many others may have fallen victim to the scam, but it is evident that it has had a significant impact on some individuals.
Reporting the Scam
Johari has reported the scam to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). He has also urged anyone still receiving similar text messages to be cautious and not to deposit any money.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you have received a similar message, Johari advises you to ignore it and not deposit any money. If you have already deposited money, you should lodge a police report and take a screenshot of the payment slip to send to Johari’s office. This will enable them to take up the case with the police and MCMC.
Conclusion
The hacking of Johari’s WhatsApp account is a stark reminder of the importance of being vigilant in the face of online scams. It is crucial that we remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. By doing so, we can help to prevent further fraud and protect ourselves and others from falling victim to similar scams.
FAQs
- What should I do if I receive a suspicious message?
- Ignore it and do not deposit any money.
- What should I do if I have already deposited money?
- Lodge a police report and take a screenshot of the payment slip to send to Johari’s office.
- How can I report the scam to the authorities?
- Report it to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).