BGAM & HPGTM STRENGTHEN PUBLIC AWARENESS AGAINST RISING SCAM THREATS

Kuala Lumpur, 8 August 2026 – The British Graduates Association Malaysia (BGAM) in collaboration with HELP University and The Hainan Professional & Graduate Team Malaysia (HPGTM), today organised the BGAM Lecture Series: Scam Awareness 2.0 – Action & Prevention. The half-day event brought together government leaders, law enforcement experts, cybersecurity professionals, industry practitioners, academics and members of the public to address the growing threat of scams and cyber-enabled crimes in Malaysia.

In his Opening Remarks, Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali, President of the British Graduates Association Malaysia (BGAM), highlighted the growing threat posed by increasingly sophisticated scam syndicates that exploit digital platforms, artificial intelligence and social engineering to deceive unsuspecting victims. Referring to the latest statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), he noted that Malaysia recorded more than 66,000 online scam cases in 2025, involving losses of approximately RM2.97 billion, underscoring that scams have become a serious national challenge affecting individuals, families and businesses across the country.

“The latest figures released by the Royal Malaysia Police remind us that scams are no longer isolated incidents. They have become a serious national challenge affecting individuals, families and businesses across the country. Combating this threat requires collective responsibility, where every informed citizen becomes another line of defence

against scammers,” said Datuk Kamarudin.

Delivering the Welcome Remarks, Professor Dato Sri Dr Akhbar Satar, Director and Professorial Chair of the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Chief Integrity Officer of HELP University, as well as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Malaysia Institute of Integrity and the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), emphasised that combating scams requires more than technological solutions. It demands integrity, critical thinking, public awareness and collective responsibility.

“Scammers don’t hack computers; they hack human psychology. Whether it is corruption or scams, the crime begins when integrity ends,” said Professor Dato’ Sri Dr Akhbar Satar.

He added that universities play a vital role in preparing students, staff and the community by strengthening digital literacy, promoting ethical decision-making, and raising awareness of common scam tactics.

He noted that scam syndicates continue to exploit trust, fear and human behaviour, making education and awareness among the public more important than ever. He stressed that universities have a vital role to play in producing graduates who understand the evolving nature of crime and are equipped to contribute to prevention, policymaking and criminal justice.

Through its Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, HELP University serves as a platform for research, policy dialogue and professional engagement, addressing contemporary issues in crime, justice, integrity and public safety. The Institute works closely with government agencies, industry and community stakeholders to promote evidence- based approaches to crime prevention and strengthen public understanding of emerging security challenges.

This commitment is further reflected in HELP University's Master of Science in Economic Crime Management programme, which equips students with advanced knowledge in criminological theory, criminal justice, crime prevention, forensic investigation and research methodologies. The programme prepares graduates to analyse emerging crime trends, formulate evidence-based policies and contribute meaningfully to law enforcement, public policy, academia and the wider criminal justice ecosystem.

The programme was honoured by the presence of Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Syed Hamid Albar, Chancellor of Asia e University, First Chairman of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), and former Minister of Home Affairs, as the Guest of Honour. Tan Sri officiated the BGAM Lecture Series: Scam Awareness 2.0 – Action & Prevention and delivered the Official Address.

In his address, Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Syed Hamid Albar said that scams today are no longer merely financial crimes but have become a broader challenge affecting public trust, social well-being and confidence in the nation’s digital ecosystem. While enforcement remains essential, he stressed that education, integrity and informed citizens are equally important in preventing scams and strengthening society’s resilience.

“Combating scams cannot rest on enforcement alone. It requires a whole-of-society approach. Education remains one of the most effective forms of prevention because an informed society is far more resilient than one that relies solely on enforcement after a crime has already occurred,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dato' Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf highlighted that Southeast Asia has become the global epicentre of commercial crime, with regional scam losses in 2025 estimated at between USD88 billion and USD114 billion. He observed that organised scam compounds across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines are estimated to generate approximately USD40 billion annually, increasingly driven by AI-generated deepfakes, cryptocurrency laundering and trafficked labour from more than 80 countries. He also stressed that, while Malaysia has strengthened its response through the Cybersecurity Act 2024, enhanced compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and closer inter-agency coordination through the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), scam syndicates continue to evolve rapidly, requiring stronger collaboration, technological innovation and sustained public awareness.

This lecture series also featured an esteemed forum discussion moderated by Datuk Yong Soo Heong, President of the Malaysian Press Institue (MPI), with distinguished panellists, Ts. Ir. Eugene Teow and ASP (R) Rahmat Fitri Abdullah. The forum provided valuable insights into emerging scam trends, commercial crime investigations, cybersecurity, digital trust, media literacy, and practical strategies to help individuals and organisations better protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated scams.

The discussions reinforced the importance of stronger collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, financial institutions, technology providers, educational institutions, industry and community organisations in building a safer, more informed and scam-resilient Malaysia. The programme also highlighted the critical role of higher education institutions in nurturing ethical leadership, strengthening digital literacy and fostering a culture of integrity that serves as a long-term defence against scams and other forms of crime.

Organisers BGAM and Hainan Professional & Graduate Team Malaysia (Economic Bureau) expressed its appreciation to HELP University for hosting the lecture series, as well as to its strategic partners, supporting organisations, sponsors, speakers, panellists, student volunteers and organising committee members whose collective contributions made the programme possible.

The event received support from various organisations committed to strengthening public awareness and digital resilience, including the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), Hainan Professional & Graduate Team Malaysia (Economic Bureau), EITA Resources Berhad, Hong Leong Bank Assurance Team and other supporting partners.

Through initiatives such as the BGAM Lecture Series, BGAM continues to champion

knowledge-sharing, community engagement and multi-sector collaboration to strengthen public awareness, promote digital resilience and build a safer Malaysia. Together with institutions such as HELP University, these efforts contribute towards developing a more informed, resilient and ethically grounded society that is better equipped to recognise, prevent and respond to the evolving threat of scams.