ALOR STAR: Younger people, including those from Generation Z, are not immune to falling victim to online scams, according to criminal analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim.
Kamal said the desire of young men and women to compete for status among their peers has prompted many to make unwise financial decisions online.
He said that according to statistics from the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, 26.2 per cent of online scam victims were aged between 20 and 30 from the year 2019 to 2021.
"The elderly may fall for scams that exploit their compassionate nature. On the other hand, younger people succumb to lifestyle temptations.
"They do not want to be outdone by their friends and hence, succumbing to peer pressure," he told reporters after his talk at the Retirement Fund Inc (Kwap) MyPesara Tour held at Grand Alora Hotel here today.
Kamal attributed rapid technological development such as social media to play a role in leading many youngsters to make impulsive decisions.
"Due to technology and social media, the fear of being left behind which drives the belief that competing with others is the norm, is now prevalent.
"This is why young people are easily manipulated and influenced by what they see on their social media," he added.
On the elderly being targeted by scammers, Kamal advised seniors to be cautious of con artists using charity, religion, and moral causes to lure victims.
"The three most popular 'lures' for seniors are loans, purchases, and investment schemes. When these scammers use an Islamic or religious image to go along with their schemes, many would be deceived," he added.
Hence, he advised everyone to make sure that charity funds organised by any party holds valid permits from the police before making any transactions.
Commenting further, he stressed that technological advances should not be scapegoated, insisting on media literacy to be improved.
"Scams or, essentially, deception is not a new crime. The only difference lies in the criminal's creativity to deceive.
"So, this is what we have to tell the public. Also, remember, you are not the only one who is going to suffer if you become a victim, people around you will be the collateral damage," he added.
