MCMC and IMDA partner to combat phone scams across the border

Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to combat scams across telecommunication channels. 

Scams, according to IMDA in a statement, are a cross border issue that requires strong cooperation among countries. IMDA also said that Malaysia is a key partner for Singapore in building up regional cooperation in combating scams across telecommunications channels. 

In the past, Malaysia and Singapore have collaborated on cross border enforcement actions against scammers. As such, the MoU seeks to strengthen cross-border exchange of strategic intelligence to combat scams across telecommunications channels and drive a coordinated regional approach to better protect both countries' citizens from scammers. 

Don't miss: MCMC proposes penalties for online platforms to prevent fraud 

Under the signed MoU, Malaysia and Singapore will provide regulatory assistance and cooperation, as well as facilitate research and education related to scam telephone calls and text messages. 

In tandem, both countries will facilitate the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise through training programmes and staff exchanges. 

The MoU was signed on 25 February at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. 

In Singapore, scam cases have risen by 50% from 31,728 cases in 2022 to 46,563 cases in 2023. Of which, job scams recorded the highest number of cases reported at 9,914 while eCommerce scams took second place with 9,783 cases reported. These were the results of Singapore Police Forces’ (SPF) annual scams and cybercrime brief. 

Social media was the most popular contact method between scammers and victims rising from 7,539 cases in 2022 to 13,725 cases in 2023. Of the cases that used social media as a contact method, 71.7% of the cases used Facebook while 18.5% used Instagram and 4.1% used TikTok.

In Malaysia, it was found that 76% of the population have encountered or became a target of scams. According to global market research Ipsos, 56% of scammers used phone calls while 54% used WhatsApp to target victims. 

Other platforms used by scammers in Malaysia include Facebook (31%), Telegram (30%) and SMS (29%). 

Most of the scams were investment, employment and e-commerce delivery schemes. However, investment schemes inflicted the largest financial losses with an average loss of RM5,000. 

Join us this coming 24 - 25 April for #Content360, a two-day extravaganza centered around four core thematic pillars: Explore with AI; Insight-powered strategies; Content as an experience; and Embrace the future. Immerse yourself in learning to curate content with creativity, critical thinking, and confidence with us at Content360!

Related articles:
IMDA rolling out new initiative to enhance online safety of youth gamers 
Maybank Singapore tackles scam prevention with a dose of humour  
Malaysia and Indonesia sign MoU to increase telecomm knowledge sharing