Sebat scammer tak cukup, kerajaan perlu ‘patahkan’ rangkaian sindiket, kata pakar

Recent comments from a leading cyber security expert suggest that harsher penalties for online scammers may provide some level of deterrence, but are not sufficient to dismantle the complex networks involved in cyber theft. Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysian Computer Users Association, emphasized that the success of harsher penalties depends on the authorities' ability to ensure perpetrators are truly apprehended, prosecuted, and punished.

Most arrests in Malaysia tend to involve the middlemen of the scam syndicates, while the masterminds continue to operate from abroad. Replacing the leaders of these groups is easy, as long as the flow of illicit profits can be quickly redirected.

Siraj criticized the idea of imposing physical punishment on account holders, stating that it will not break the syndicate. He suggested that efforts to prevent scams should focus on disrupting the money laundering process and closing the technological gaps that scammers easily exploit. While the banking sector has shown progress, including strengthening digital security and transaction verification, the security sector of telecommunications still needs significant improvement.

This includes issues like false SIM card registration on e-commerce platforms, use of fake base stations or fake BTS/IMSI catchers, and manipulation of message gates. He also proposed strengthening the National Scam Response Center (NSRC).

Cybersecurity activist Aaron Mokhtar agreed that harsh penalties are not an ideal measure, but not without value as a symbolic step, rather than the primary strategy to curb cybercrime. He advocated targeting the financial networks and account structures used to transfer the proceeds of online fraud, backed by legal framework reinforcement, increased cybersecurity enforcement, and international cooperation.

Siraj, Aaron, and cyber security expert Fong Choong Fook each have differing views on the effectiveness of harsher penalties, with Fong supporting the idea due to the perpetrators' lack of concern over financial compensation since they can easily pay it off.