Acryl: Telcos not involved in selling consumer data

TANJUNG MALIM: Telecommunication companies (telcos) in the country are not involved in selling personal data of consumers, which have led to the misuse of such information by cyber scam syndicates, said Bukit Aman (Federal police) Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

He said the data could have been obtained from other parties such as survey companies and so on.

“We would have known if there is any (telco involved in selling such data) one. So far, we have not heard of anything such as telcos selling consumer personal data, as what has been claimed by some people. We are certain that such things do not occur,” he said.

He said this to reporters when met after joining the Amal Al-Hilmi Cycling Programme with the founder of Baitul Al-Hilmi Orphans Charitable Organisation, Datuk Ahmad Faris Abdul Halim in conjunction with the 210th Police Day in Kampung Sawa, Slim Village here yesterday.

The programme was a collaboration between the charity organisation, Muallim District Police Headquarters and the Tanjung Malim District Council to raise funds for the operation of Baitul Al-Hilmi’s new hostel.

According to Acryl Sani, four types of cyber crimes had been identified, namely online scams; ‘Love Scam’ (involving dating or matchmaking); get-rich-quick schemes; and the latest, telephone scam where callers masquerading as government agency or bank personnel using falsified (dummy) numbers.

“There are no banks that would (make you) amend particulars via telephone. These people (scammers) are smart in taking advantage following reaction from the victims,” he said.

Moreover, Acryl Sani said there had been an increase in the number of police reports lodged by the victims over such scams compared with last year, which was probably due to rising awareness.

In terms of demography, he said, local women, in their 30s and above, easily fell prey to such scams despite constant advice and warnings from the police.

“For instance, the ‘Love Scam’... There are still victims who are easily duped and fall for the looks of the suspects (although they are) masquerading as good-looking men on social media and other (mobile telephone) applications.

“Normally, the victims would receive calls and were made to pay certain ‘taxes’ to claim the parcels which had been posted from their ‘foreign boyfriends’ on the pretext of sending gifts,” added Acryl Sani. — Bernama