Fahmi wants stronger WhatsApp verification after scammers impersonate MCMC officers

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Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil wants WhatsApp to strengthen verification of phone numbers linked to its accounts amid growing ...

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil wants WhatsApp to strengthen verification of phone numbers linked to its accounts amid growing concerns over scammers exploiting the messaging platform to deceive the public.

He said the government was looking into the issue following reports of scammers misusing telephone numbers and WhatsApp accounts, including impersonating Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officers.

“At the moment, WhatsApp does not require verification of the account. But in a few countries, recently at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), I have heard from many countries that they have raised the issue of misuse of WhatsApp for scam calls.

“So one thing that many countries are doing is to verify the identity and the telephone number that are linked to the WhatsApp account,” he said.

Fahmi said the matter was among several measures being explored to address evolving scam tactics, noting that scammers had adapted their methods after authorities introduced technical measures to block spoofing calls.

“Previously, MCMC implemented a technical change that blocked what is known as spoofing calls, and we have successfully implemented that.

“But the scammers have switched to a different method of scamming. So we can see that additional steps are needed,” he said.

His remarks came after police arrested 61 people suspected of involvement in three scam syndicates, including one believed to have impersonated MCMC officers in telephone scams.

Police said the suspects were detained during raids in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, with two other syndicates allegedly involved in fake part-time job offers targeting victims in Indonesia through WhatsApp.

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