{
  "id": 18384043,
  "title": "Matrade warns of fake procurement scams",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/matrade-warns-of-fake-procurement-scams-18384043",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T22:00:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/11/1571817/matrade-warns-fake-procurement-scams"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) has issued a warning to businesses regarding fraudulent procurement schemes. Scammers are impersonating Matrade officials to obtain sensitive company information and demand upfront payments. The scammers are reaching out to vendors through email and WhatsApp, posing as representatives of overseas trade delegations, international exhibitions, and corporate recreational events. These scams involve requesting various documents, such as company profiles, registration certificates, bank statements, and Finance Ministry certificates. Once the documents are provided, the scammers use them to create fake letters of award and government purchase orders.\n\nSeveral companies have already fallen victim to this scam, resulting in financial losses after making initial payments to supposed sub-vendors. The scammers instruct the awarded vendors to immediately purchase merchandise gift supplies from appointed sub-vendors to meet contract specifications before the government disburses funds. These sub-vendors are fraudulent shell accounts controlled by the syndicate themselves, according to Matrade. The organization has taken the matter seriously and has reported the incidents to CyberSecurity Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to aid digital forensic investigations and enforcement actions.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Matrade exposes scam involving fake procurement orders, advance payment demands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/matrade-exposes-scam-involving-fake-procurement-orders-advance",
        "published": "2026-11-05T07:58:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}