Call for joint panel to fight get-rich-quick schemes
KUALA LUMPUR: A joint-action committee should be set up to come up with measures to prevent people from being involved in get-richquick schemes.
Crime analyst Kamal Affendi Hashim said the committee should look into the overlapping jurisdictions between departments and agencies involved in curbing the problem.
“Get-rich-quick schemes can cover a broad spectrum. For example, cheating falls under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which is investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department.
“It can also fall under a grey area, which calls for the Commercial Crime Investigation Department to be involved.
“The investigation will then take a different route.
“And, sometimes, the case involves laws and regulations of Bank Negara Malaysia.
“These departments and agencies should come together under one roof to address the problem,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mortadza Nazarene, on Monday, said Malaysians were still falling for get-rich-quick scams, with a total of RM116 million in losses recorded in the first half of the year.
He said 485 reports were lodged from January to last month by victims of such scams.
Kamal said people fell victim to such scams because of gullibility, greed and naivety.
“A person can become a victim when he or she is convinced that the scheme is real.
“The fraudsters will try to confuse victims with sketchy document details.
“To sweeten the deal, an elaborate set-up is put in place.
“This is where they claim that the scheme is endorsed by influential people with fake titles, complete with testimonials and photographs, or people who represent certain religious groups.”
Kamal cautioned the public to be more vigilant when receiving offers that were too good to be true.
“Always conduct a background check on a company that is trying to lure you.
“Get in touch with the authorities and Bank Negara for verification.”