Man in Labuan loses RM26,400 after downloading malicious mobile app

LABUAN (Jan 7): A man here reported the loss of RM26,400 to an online scam after downloading a malicious application on his mobile phone.

Labuan police chief Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim said the victim was browsing Facebook when he came across an advertisement regarding the sale of ‘Nyonya Mood’ biscuits, and contacted the listed number.

“The victim made contact via WhatsApp and was instructed by the suspect to download an application via a link to complete the purchase.

“However, upon installing the application, the victim’s mobile phone failed to function normally for a few seconds,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Hazimi said the victim later discovered that several unauthorised financial transactions totalling RM26,400 had been made, and filed a police report.

According to him, initial investigations found that the downloaded application had allowed the suspect to gain access to the victim’s mobile phone.

This access, he said, enabled the suspect to obtain the victim’s financial information stored on the device and use it to carry out the transactions.

Warning that such cases are on the rise, Mohd Hazimi cautioned against downloading applications from suspicious sources or unofficial links which could then be used to steal personal and financial data.

He also reminded the public not to share banking information, account numbers, passwords, and one-time verification codes with any party.

“If you suspect you have fallen victim to fraud, immediately file a police report or contact the National Scam Response Centre on 997,” he said.