Anti-scam app launched
Public can check Semak Mule to ward off swindlers
Always remember that the authorities such as the police will only call to set an appointment and not to explain in detail about cases.
Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR: Want to prevent yourself from falling victim to an online scam? For those who are still unaware, help is at hand – on your own smartphone or computer.
The public can access the Semak Mule digital application anytime and anywhere to verify accounts that could potentially be used by scammers.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the app, which was introduced in January last year, had yielded positive results.
He revealed that last year, 28,508 online cheating cases were recorded, resulting in RM2.5bil in losses involving 18,130 mule accounts.
In 2018, 23,788 cases were recorded with RM2.8bil in losses involving 13,513 mule accounts.
“We hope the public can make full use of the site so that they do not become victims of scammers,” he told a press conference yesterday after launching the Semak Mule app and a seminar to strengthen commercial crimes investigation.
“Mule accounts” are fake accounts featuring manipulated identities used by scammers to channel the money that was illegally obtained from their victims.
Users can download the Semak Mule app via Google Play or go to the website ( http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/ semakmule/) to check whether their accounts or those of other people are being used in scams or other fraudulent activities.
“So far, nine million people have accessed the web portal while 120,000 have downloaded the app,” said Acryl Sani.
He again reminded the public to be vigilant when receiving suspicious phone calls.
“Always remember that the authorities such as the police will only call to set an appointment and not to explain in detail about cases.
“All matters concerning cases are handled at the respective offices of the enforcement agencies,” he added.
He also urged victims of online scams or cheating cases to come forward and lodge police reports.
“We want to know the accounts used by the scammers so that they can be listed on Semak Mule,” he said.
Commerical crimes, especially those involving online scams and transactions, are on the rise, given the popularity of online shopping, he added.
Acryl Sani assured the public that the police had a system in place to protect the Semak Mule portal against attacks by hackers.
On another matter, he said two senior officers from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department had been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“We will not comment further until we get a full report from MACC,” he said.