Picture courtesy of CIB

 

Authorities issued a warning on 6 September, to the public about a rising wave of scams in which criminals trick victims into sharing One Time Passwords (OTPs) to gain access to electronic wallets and credit card-linked apps.

 

According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the scams often begin with messages or links prompting recipients to provide personal information. Fraudsters then request OTPs under the pretext of verifying transactions. Once obtained, these codes can allow criminals to make unauthorised purchases, potentially draining funds from linked credit cards.

 

CIB has issued several recommendations to help the public protect themselves:

 

1. Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources.

 

2. Use strong, varied passwords for financial apps and transactions.

 

3. Never reuse passwords across different accounts to reduce the risk of hacking.

 

4. Do not share passwords or OTPs with anyone under any circumstances.

 

5. Report suspicious activity immediately to the Anti-Online Crime Centre (AOC) via 1441.

 

The CIB emphasised their commitment to professionalism and impartiality and reassured citizens that they remain dedicated to safeguarding the public from financial crimes.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from CIB 2025-09-07

 

 

 

Cash is king. People use these payment systems and then snivel to all and sundry about how they're victims when more clever people shear the sheep.