Police Reveal Why Fewer Malaysian Indians Fall for Scams

Malaysian Indians account for a relatively small proportion of scam victims, and one reason may be their tendency to ask more questions before believing a caller, according to a senior Penang police officer.

Speaking at a seminar on digital living and scam prevention organised by the Penang Chinese Town Hall, Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department Deputy Chief Supt Pang Ming Teck shared observations gathered from investigations involving arrested scammers.

According to Pang, while scam syndicates do target individuals from all ethnic backgrounds, many fraudsters have admitted that Malaysian Indian targets are often more difficult to deceive because they tend to question every detail presented to them.

Asking Questions Can Disrupt a Scam

Pang said scammers have told investigators that conversations with Malaysian Indian targets frequently become difficult because the potential victims ask numerous follow up questions instead of reacting emotionally.

For example, if a scammer attempts to stage a fake kidnapping call, the victim may immediately begin asking questions such as who has been kidnapped, where the incident supposedly took place, when it happened and why the kidnapping occurred.

The barrage of questions can leave scammers struggling to continue their script, with some eventually abandoning the attempt altogether.

While Pang's remarks were based on feedback from suspects during police investigations rather than formal academic research, they highlight an important principle in scam prevention: fraudsters generally prefer victims who react quickly without verifying information.

Scammers Often Exploit Emotion

Pang also discussed romance and parcel scams, noting that women accounted for the majority of reported victims in Penang during 2024.

Police records showed that 57 women reported falling victim to romance or parcel scams, compared with 17 men.

However, Pang cautioned that the actual number of male victims could be higher, as some men may choose not to report such incidents out of embarrassment or concern over social stigma.

Loneliness and Greed Remain Common Factors

According to Pang, victims of romance scams generally share one or both of two common characteristics: loneliness and greed.

He cited the case of a nurse working at a hospital in Penang who lost RM30,000 after being deceived by someone posing as her boyfriend on a well known online dating platform.

In another case, a widow who had recently lost her husband was allegedly cheated out of nearly RM1 million, including proceeds from her late husband's insurance payout, after placing her trust in someone claiming to be a new romantic partner.

These cases demonstrate how scammers often spend weeks or even months building emotional relationships before making financial requests.

A Lesson for Everyone

While Pang's comments focused on observations involving Malaysian Indian victims, his broader message applies to everyone regardless of background.

Scammers thrive when victims act impulsively or emotionally. Taking time to ask questions, verify claims independently and refuse pressure to make immediate decisions can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Whether the scam involves fake investments, bogus kidnappings, romance schemes or parcel deliveries, maintaining a healthy level of scepticism remains one of the most effective forms of protection.

As cybercriminals continue refining their tactics, the simplest defence may also be one of the most effective: ask questions before taking action.