16/08/2026
📣Yayasan Pengguna Negara Malaysia, Wilayah Sarawak YPNM Sarawak had successfully organised "Anti-Scam Programme" Raises Awareness on Latest Scam Tactics, AI Threats and Senior Citizen Health Benefits Registration.👏
📣KUCHING, 15 August 2026 — YPNM Sarawak successfully organised the "Anti-Scam Awareness Talk & Senior Citizen Health Benefit Registration" at BEM The Way Sentosa, Kuching, bringing together the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), community leaders and speakers to strengthen public awareness on the growing threat of scams.
The programme was graced by N.12 Kota Sentosa State Assemblyman YB Wilfred Yap Yau Sin as Guest of Honour, with the organising committee led by Ms. Cecilia Quek Koh Mei from the N.12 Kota Sentosa Service Centre.
The programme was organised in response to the increasing number of scam cases affecting members of the public, particularly senior citizens.
With scam methods continuing to evolve alongside technology, YPNM Sarawak believes that greater public awareness and practical knowledge are important in helping the community recognise warning signs and respond appropriately.
Representing PDRM, Inspector Lim Chin Leong of the Kuching Commercial Crime Investigation Division delivered an anti-scam awareness briefing covering current scam threats and the role of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) 997.
The police briefing provided participants with practical information on how scams are carried out, the warning signs members of the public should look out for, and the importance of acting quickly if they believe they have been scammed.
Lim also shared examples of common scams including job scams, investment scams, bank and impersonation scams, online shopping scams and love scams, while encouraging participants to slow down, verify information independently and speak to someone they trust before making financial decisions.
YB Wilfred Yap also addressed participants on anti-scam awareness and the Senior Citizen Health Benefit, highlighting the importance of protecting senior citizens not only from financial scams but also by ensuring that they are aware of and able to access benefits available to them.
The programme also featured a session entitled “How To Protect Yourself From AI Scam” by Winston Chang, DBA, a Google AI Professional and HRD Corp Accredited Trainer from Growing Business Simplified by Mycommax Network Sdn Bhd, an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider.
During his sharing, Chang highlighted how Artificial Intelligence is changing the nature of scams. Technologies such as AI-generated voices, face swapping, fake images and deepfake videos can make fraudulent communication appear increasingly convincing.
He reminded participants that seeing a familiar face or hearing a familiar voice should no longer automatically be treated as proof of identity, particularly when the person is asking for money, banking information or urgent financial assistance.
Jimmy Ling , Secretary of YPNM Sarawak said scam cases have become so common that reports of people losing money can now be seen almost daily in newspapers and on social media.
Ling also stressed that scam prevention cannot rely on technology alone, as scammers often succeed by manipulating trust, fear, urgency, greed, sympathy and other human emotions.
He therefore encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant, verify suspicious requests through official channels, and share scam awareness information with family members, particularly parents and senior citizens who may be less familiar with newer forms of technology-enabled scams.
In addition to the anti-scam talks, assistance was also provided for Senior Citizen Health Benefit registration, allowing eligible senior citizens to obtain information and support in accessing the benefit.
YPNM Sarawak expressed its appreciation to YB Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, PDRM, the N.12 Kota Sentosa Service Centre, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pengguna Sarawak (SCWA), BEM The Way Sentosa, the speakers, volunteers and all parties who contributed towards the successful organisation of the programme.
YPNM Sarawak hopes to continue working with relevant agencies, elected representatives and community organisations to strengthen consumer protection and public awareness on scams in Sarawak.
