Kuala Lumpur: Impersonating a friend has been among the most common types of fraud, with 454 cases to date this year, Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director Ramli Yoosuf said.
Ramli said the victims had lost a combined RM2.72 million.
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“Typically, the fraud tactic used is to send WhatsApp messages pretending to be a friend of the victim.
The sender claims to be in trouble and asks to borrow money. The victim is asked to transfer the money to a specific account, which is a mule account, he said in a press conference.
Ramli said the tactic has evolved to include impersonating the friend’s voice.
He cited a statement by the Kuala Terengganu police chief on Aug 23 that a report had been filed on this new tactic used on a 63-year-old victim.
“The victim picked up a call from an unknown number, and the caller claimed to be the victim’s acquaintance.
Due to the caller’s voice resembling that of an acquaintance, the victim agreed to lend RM49,800, which was transferred to the account provided, he said.
Ramli said police do not rule out the possibility that deepfake technology was used to reproduce the voice.
He said the case is being investigated for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
He also said police expect the same tactic to be used by fraud gangs in the future.
Contact your friend through the phone number saved in your phone. Confirm whether they are actually contacting you using a different number, he said.
