Traditional crime is moving into cyberspace – Fahmi

K PRAGALATH

Online crime has taken a turn to the worse as traditional crime have begun moving into the cyberspace, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

“The issue of online crime is alarming. Trends indicate that traditional crime have begun moving into cyberspace, including social media.

“This morning I attended a briefing with the National Security Council director general, Criminal Investigation Department director and Commercial Crimes Investigation Department deputy director,” said Fahmi.

Fahmi’s revelations correlates with calls by two DAP leaders who want a probe on a TikTok account run by an individual who provides illegal baby adoption services.

DAP deputy secretary for international affairs Kasthuri Patto said she was told about this by Malim Nawar state assemblywoman Bavani Shasha Veraiah.

“A TikTok account belonging to a man in Penang showed an advertisement for baby adoptions, birth certificate preparation, and a WhatsApp number as contact details.

“Who is this person? What are his credentials? What is the intention of doing this? Who is assisting him in the National Registration Department in obtaining the birth certificate?” she said in a joint statement with Bavani, reported Malaysiakini.

“He has 7,459 followers and more than 20,000 likes for his posts, and the numbers are increasing.

“Six videos showed newborn babies that appear to be up for adoption – some as recent as six days ago,” she said.

Harapan Daily meanwhile came across a number of TikTok videos that revealed about a syndicate targeting married Indian woman entrepreneurs who look for financial assistance.

The individuals modus operandi involve offering financial aid and a meeting with the prospective officials who would approve the financial assistance after a meeting.

The twist is, prior to the meet, the applicants are required to undergo a ‘mandi bunga’ session.

There have a been a number of them who were victimised but none have come forward to the authorities yet.

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