THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked 1.8 billion scam calls from 2017 to last year, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

Fahmi said he was informed about the matter during his meeting with the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre together with MCMC and several other parties.

He said that since 2018, a total of 300 million scam messages via SMS had been blocked.

“Please be careful during this festive season (because) there will definitely be those who will take advantage of the situation,” he told reporters after attending the Chinese New Year Open House organised by MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

Fahmi also advised people who had fallen prey to scams to call the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to make a report so that immediate action can be taken and to prevent monetary losses.

There are various types of scams at the moment and they are not easy to deal with because when a modus operandi is established, new types of scams will emerge, said Fahmi.

“During this festive season, scams such as ‘cleaner scams’ (will emerge) on Facebook, for example, so we have to be careful. 

“If you get any offer, whether for work or service, please double check. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and (you should) make a police report and call 997 so we can help,” he said. 

On scams conducted via the Telegram messaging app, Fahmi said he will try to contact its officials to discuss prevention measures. – Bernama, January 22, 2023.