Scams have become rampant these days going by news reports. The Internet and rising popularity of artificial intelligence make such nefarious activities easier to commit and their impact are far-reaching.
Both individuals and businesses are targets to be fleeced if they are not on their guard.
Of late, one such target group are tyre shops, which have uncovered fraudulent attempts involving fake government purchase orders for large quantities of vehicle tyres.
Two recent incidents highlight the elaborate nature of these scams, according to The Star.
In one case, Nurhidayah Maisarah, 22, a clerk at a tyre shop, noticed irregularities in a purported RM150,000 purchase order for 42 tyres, allegedly from the Fire and Rescue Department. The document, which appeared hastily drafted, featured suspicious signatures. After verifying with the fire station, Nurhidayah confirmed the request was fake. She promptly reported the matter and blocked the scammer’s contact.
The scam began when a person, claiming to represent the Kluang fire station, contacted her via WhatsApp to inquire about tyres.
In a similar incident, a tyre company manager, identified only as Ling, received an RM18,000 order for 43 tyres allegedly placed by the Seratok fire station in Sarawak. The scammer, posing as a Fire Department representative, insisted on communicating solely through WhatsApp. Despite authentic-looking documents, Ling’s team verified with local authorities, confirming the order was bogus.
According to The Star report, both victims said they suspected their businesses were targeted through online searches. Authorities have been alerted, and the cases are under investigation.
Globally, financial losses due to scams have reached unprecedented levels. Between August 2022 and August 2023, scammers stole an estimated US$1.02 trillion worldwide, with victims in Singapore losing the most money on average.
In the United States alone, consumers reported losses exceeding US$10 billion in 2023, marking a 14% increase over the previous year.
These figures underscore the escalating threat of scams, necessitating enhanced vigilance and robust preventive measures globally.
