GEM Helpline leads awareness drive against rising digital scams

A light afternoon rain over Bandar Utama on Sunday lent a reflective tone to a community talk at First City University College, where nearly 300 attendees — largely from the Buddhist community alongside members of the public — filled the auditorium. Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) extended deep appreciation to Mr Lai of the university for providing the venue free of charge, enabling the outreach programme to proceed smoothly.
Inside, the session quickly evolved beyond a routine community event, becoming a stark reflection of a national threat: the rapid rise of online scams across Malaysia.

Billions lost to a growing online crime network

Fresh data from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) underscores the gravity of the situation. Between January and November this year alone, Malaysia recorded 67,735 online crime cases, with losses exceeding RM2.7 billion. Telecommunications scams made up the largest portion with 28,698 cases, accounting for RM715.7 million in losses, followed by e-commerce fraud and non-existent investment schemes that continue to ensnare thousands. Losses from “pig-butchering” investment scams alone breached RM1.37 billion, signalling a sophisticated criminal ecosystem that thrives on emotional manipulation and digital anonymity.

During the talk, participants learned how scams now cut across demographics and platforms. Victims have been deceived through fake investment apps, impersonation calls from supposed authorities, romance scams, and fraudulent online purchases. Some individuals were misled into unknowingly acting as money mules, while others encountered improbable but convincing narratives involving foreign celebrities or astronauts allegedly seeking help.

GEM Helpline’s longstanding role in community support

The event also highlighted the longstanding work of GEM Helpline, a BGF initiative that has served the community for more than three decades. Beyond offering confidential emotional support, the helpline focuses on mental wellness, preventive counselling, and scam-awareness education. Volunteers are trained to guide individuals through distress while helping them connect with mental health professionals or relevant authorities when necessary.

Service lines, including WhatsApp numbers, are available on weekdays for those facing emotional or scam-related vulnerabilities — reflecting the organisation’s holistic approach to community care as scam-related distress becomes increasingly common.

Strengthening public awareness

Recently retired after 37 years with PDRM, ACP Lai Lee Ching delivered an engaging and hard-hitting presentation. Drawing from decades of frontline experience, she illustrated how scammers prey on fear, loneliness and trust, often leaving victims emotionally devastated in addition to losing their life savings. Her session blended serious warnings with moments of humour, easing the audience into complex topics without diluting their urgency.

ACP Lai also emphasised simple but critical steps to prevent becoming a victim: verifying information, avoiding rushed financial decisions, and storing hotline 997 for scam emergencies. Her distinguished career has earned multiple recognitions, including the AFFIN INVIKTA™ Top 50 Women of Excellence Award and the RMP ICON honour for her contributions to scam education.

As the talk concluded, one message was clear: Malaysia’s scam crisis demands both vigilance and compassion. With organisations like GEM Helpline and community educators such as ACP Lai at the forefront, strengthened awareness may be the public’s strongest shield against a rapidly evolving digital threat.