RM100 to RM300 cash offers to those who submit identity cards to open e-wallet accounts is the latest method e-wallet scammers in Kedah are employing, according to police.

Kedah Commercial Crime Investigation Department head Elias Omar said the scammer-appointed agents would prey on victims from low-income groups or drug addicts before asking for their identity cards to help register e-wallet accounts.

“Prior to that, the victims will be promised instant cash of between RM100 and RM300 if their e-wallet registration application is successful, thus compelling them to handover their identity cards willingly.

“The agent will fill out the application form using the victim’s name and identity card while the phone number and address will be filled with the scammer’s information.

“This is to make it easier for scammers to obtain their victim’s transaction authorisation code (TAC) number and have access to the victim’s bank account,” he told a media conference in Alor Star today.

He said the scammer would then contact another victim and impersonate the police or the court before directing the victim to transfer some money into an e-wallet account that was opened using an identity card obtained from the previous victim.

“The scammer will contact the victims and inform them that they are involved in a drug case, so to avoid having their assets frozen, the victims will have to transfer all their money into the e-wallet accounts provided.

“The scammers use this e-wallet method because it is difficult for the police to detect.

“From January 1 to February 29, 25 cases have been opened involving losses of RM600,000,” he said.

He said up to 50 victims had provided their identity cards for e-wallet account registration but were unaware their details and personal information had been used by scammers. – Bernama, March 15, 2020.