{
  "id": 3376420,
  "title": "Scam prevention must evolve as syndicates exploit psychology, AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/scam-prevention-must-evolve-as-syndicates-exploit-psychology-ai",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-25T23:15:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1518775/scam-prevention-must-evolve-syndicates-exploit-psychology-ai"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must rethink its anti-investment scam strategies as criminal groups increasingly utilize advanced psychological tactics instead of rudimentary deception, according to criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy. Speaking to the New Straits Times, Dr Sundramoorthy emphasized that many victims are aware of scams existing but fail to identify when they are being psychologically manipulated. The issue lies not only in insufficient knowledge but also the growing sophistication of criminal persuasion, which exploits human emotions such as trust, greed, fear, urgency, and the desire for financial security. Scammers now employ professional platforms, fake testimonials, fabricated investment records, and seemingly legitimate advisers, effectively engaging in social engineering to manipulate victims' decision-making rather than merely deceiving them about investment products. Prevention efforts should shift from basic warnings against high returns to teaching individuals how to recognize manipulation, verify identities, and comprehend the gradual trust-building techniques used by scammers. The prevalence of scam victims aged between 31 and 50, particularly private sector employees, challenges the notion that victims are primarily elderly or financially unsophisticated. These individuals, who have regular incomes, savings, digital banking access, and significant exposure to investment opportunities, demonstrate that vulnerability to scams is situational and psychological, not solely determined by age, education, or technological literacy. Financially stable individuals can also become targets due to their potential access to savings, credit, and borrowing facilities. Scammers typically combine fear of missing out, grooming, and promises of exceptional returns to progressively manipulate victims, creating a cycle where victims feel psychologically invested in the fraud and become desperate to recover losses through additional payments. Dr Sundramoorthy warned that AI could significantly enhance the effectiveness and scalability of investment scams, making them even more convincing and easier to launch. To combat this, a collaborative effort is needed among various sectors, including enforcing agencies, banks, telecommunications companies, social media platforms, and messaging services. Banks should implement safeguards like warnings, cooling-off periods, and additional verification for transactions displaying scam indicators, while the enforcement strategy should shift from merely arresting money mules to dismantling the entire financial infrastructure supporting organized fraud. Investment scams should be viewed as organized economic crime requiring disruption of the entire criminal ecosystem, from recruitment and grooming to digital platforms, payment systems, mule accounts, and international transfers. Without addressing this ecosystem, criminals will simply replace arrested individuals with new recruits, perpetuating the cycle of increasing victimization and financial losses.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to rethink its approach to fighting investment scams as syndicates increasingly rely on sophisticated psychological manipulation rather than simple deception.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}