Beware & Protect Yourself 09 (May 25 - Dec 27)

[winston]

RM15,000 gone in just one click

By CHARLES RAMENDRAN

For a Klang-based physician in his 70s who only wanted to be known as Dr Ram, the message aroused no suspicion although it was from an unknown individual.

However, a single tap on a Whatsapp link sent on March 20 was all it took for him lose control over his account.

A scammer impersonating Dr Ram then began reaching out to everyone from his contact list, asking for a loan to tide him over due to an emergency.

Dr Ram said the requests sounded urgent, personal and real, with the scammers providing a bank account (which turned out to be a mule account) to receive the “loans”.

Just two days earlier, a similar scam had played out for retired newsman G. Umakanthan.

“I was in the midst of a phone call with a friend via WhatsApp when our conversation was interrupted by another caller. All I know is he claimed to be from India, but I could not make out what he was saying,” the 74-year-old said.

“Moments later, I was locked out of my own account.”

Source: The Star

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/ ... e=smartech

[behappyalways]

Annie Yi also fell for it! China's "best-selling health supplement" exposed as counterfeit, hiring marketing companies to fabricate brand stories; experts and awards were all bought with money.

伊能靜也上當! 中國"銷量冠軍保健品"被爆造假 找行銷公司編造品牌故事 專家.獲獎都用錢買｜記者 劉如穎｜國際焦點20260402｜三立新聞台

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J0EESCY08I0

[behappyalways]

Long-Term Social Media Use Linked to Depression, Self-Harm in Young People: Study
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/lo ... ople-study

[winston]

61-Year-Old Retired Man Falls Victim to "Pig-Butchering" Scam, Loses Over HKD2.5 million

Police "CyberDefender" social media platform disclosed that a 61-year-old retired man recently met a woman on Facebook who claimed to work in IT in Taiwan.

From casual daily chats to sharing life updates and addressing each other affectionately, they quickly developed into an online romantic relationship.

After sweet talk, the conversation shifted to "investing in US stocks." The woman claimed to be familiar with the market and sent the victim a link directing him to a fraudulent investment website.

The site purportedly featured an AI analytics system providing precise investment tips, along with "stable high-return" strategies.

The victim subsequently followed instructions and transferred funds multiple times to unknown personal bank accounts for "investment," ultimately losing more than HKD2.5 million.

In the end, the website became inaccessible and messages went unanswered, marking the swift execution of a classic "pig-butchering" scam.

Police reminded the public that when romance suddenly incorporates investment elements, it is no longer a love story but a scam script.

Police advise the public:
- If an online romantic partner suddenly becomes an investment expert, remain highly vigilant;
- Claims of "high returns" or "AI insider tips" are very likely to be traps;
- Do not click on suspicious investment links;
- Do not transfer large sums to strangers or unknown platform accounts;
- Consult family members before making investment transfers.

Source: AASTOCKS Financial News

http://www.aastocks.com/en/stocks/news/ ... -news/AAFN