9th February 2026 - 3 min read
The public has been reminded to stay alert to fraud, especially during periods when financial aid is distributed and major festivals are approaching. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said these periods are often targeted due to increased spending and cash withdrawals.
He said the close timing of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah distribution, together with the Chinese New Year and upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, has created higher risk conditions for financial fraud.
Fahmi said families are more likely to withdraw money during festive periods, as they prepare for daily expenses, festival celebrations, gift money such as ang pao, and shopping.
According to him, criminals often take advantage of this period to target the public more aggressively. He warned people not to click on links received through SMS messages, especially those related to financial matters or aid payments.
Fahmi reminded the public that since last year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has required that official SMS messages must not include hyperlinks.
If an SMS contains a link, it is likely to be fraudulent. He explained that such messages may be sent using fake base stations operating near the recipient’s location, making them appear legitimate.
The minister urged anyone who believes they have been affected by financial fraud to act quickly. The National Scam Response Centre is available to assist victims and now operates 24 hours a day following the opening of a new office and the addition of more staff.
Affected individuals are advised to call 997 immediately. Reporting the incident within 30 minutes increases the chances of stopping the transfer of funds and possibly recovering the money.
Fahmi again stressed the importance of remaining cautious and avoiding suspicious messages, particularly during festive seasons when fraud activity tends to increase.
Periods that combine government aid payments with major festivals tend to see higher fraud risk because people are expecting money-related messages and are making more financial transactions. This makes it easier for fraudulent messages to appear legitimate, especially when they claim to involve aid distribution, banking issues, or urgent payment requests.
The reminder that official SMS messages do not contain links is particularly relevant during this period. Messages that include links and claim to be from authorities or financial institutions should be treated as suspicious, especially when they coincide with expected aid payments.
The emphasis on reporting incidents within 30 minutes reflects how quickly funds can be transferred once unauthorised access occurs. Early reporting gives banks and authorities a narrow window to intervene, while delays significantly reduce the chances of stopping or recovering the money.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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