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.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
