KUALA LUMPUR 5 June - Bursa Malaysia Berhad urges investors to be on high alert to protect themselves and others from becoming victims of investment fraud. The Exchange has recently observed an increase in the number of scams involving the misuse of the Bursa Malaysia name and corporate logo.
In times of uncertainty, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, scammers try to lure victims into participating in dubious investment schemes and activities. They often use unlicensed or unregistered companies, websites and promotional material that mimic legitimate financial institutions to deceive the investing public.
Watch out for investment scams
Investment scams typically carry the Bursa Malaysia name and logo on its marketing-related materials and social media postings, offering high investment returns with a guarantee of little or no risks. Investors are directed to “spoof” websites and phone numbers set up by scammers.
These fake websites look nearly identical to the actual sites of legitimate financial institutions. Calls to the phone numbers provided reach the scammer who pretends to be an employee who will then direct investors to transfer funds to an account with a different name.
Members of the public are reminded to invest with licensed parties only. To view the updated investor alert list of unauthorised websites, investment products, companies and individuals, please visit Bursa Academy at https://www.bursaacademy.bursamarketplace.com/en/scinvestor-alert.
In addition, the Exchange recommends that you:
• Verify the information. Do not rely on unsolicited marketing materials. Begin by conducting
a simple background search online on the broker and firm name. This might bring up news
reports or online conversations on details of any potential controversial activities. Investors
can also search if the company is registered with the appropriate authorities such as
Securities Commission Malaysia or Bank Negara Malaysia. Financial professionals and their
firms are usually required to be registered with regulators.
• Compare and confirm websites or social media pages. Fake websites or social media pages
will often have odd-looking (or low resolution) logos that do not match the legitimate
company’s logo. Do an internet search of the company to determine if the website or page
is legitimate. Most scam websites may have URL addresses similar to those of legitimate
websites, or use legitimate-sounding names and URLs.
• Avoid unusual payment methods. Be cautious if you are instructed to send funds via online
transfer to an individual bank account.
• Seek independent, professional advice. Be suspicious of unsolicited investment offers
made online, on social media or over the phone. Take time to consult with a person who is
not participating in the investment, such as an independent lawyer, banker, accountant,
financial adviser or someone with financial expertise before investing. Do not feel pressured
to hand over your money until you have had some time to consider the investment carefully.
Bursa Malaysia does not engage third party agents to represent us. If you receive unsolicited
and/or suspicious communications relating to or claiming to be agents of Bursa Malaysia, we
recommend contacting us directly at 03 - 2732 0067 or e-mail at bursa2u@bursamalaysia.com
to authenticate the content of any such communication. - DagangNews.com
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