This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on September 8, 2025 - September 14, 2025

More than one in five parents (21%) said their children aged between seven and 17 had been scammed, according to the State of Scams in Malaysia 2025 report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). The findings show how fraudsters are increasingly targeting the country’s youngest internet users, turning family homes into a new battleground for deception, says GASA managing director Jorij Abraham.

The study found that scams have become endemic in Malaysia, with 85% of adults encountering such attempts in 2024, averaging 140 scam attempts per person annually, or nearly one every three days. Almost three-quarters (73%) of the respondents admitted to being scammed at least once.

Investment fraud was the most common type, affecting 64% of victims, followed by online shopping scams (54%) and job-related scams (45%). Respondents described being duped by bogus trading schemes, fraudulent e-commerce sellers and fake employment offers.

An estimated 32% of Malaysian adults lost money to scams in the past 12 months, with an average individual loss of RM4,967.60. Millennials were hit hardest, losing an average of RM7,792.40, compared with Gen Z at RM1,253.80. Those who “can always recognise a scam” have had RM4,844.70 stolen on average.

Overall, scams drained RM40.1 billion (US$8.4 billion) from Malaysians last year. Wire transfers (55%) and digital wallets (22%) were the main channels through which funds were siphoned. Despite 64% of victims reporting scams to payment providers, only 13% managed to recover any of their money.

Messaging apps were the most exploited, with WhatsApp (85%) and Telegram (49%) topping the list of platforms used by scammers, followed by Facebook (39%) and Instagram (33%). However, recognition often came too late. On WeChat, one in five victims only realised that they were being deceived after more than a day, prolonging exposure to losses.

The consequences extended far beyond financial loss. Some 62% of scam victims reported stress, while 47% suffered a lasting impact on their mental health. Families also bore the strain, with 15% reporting heightened tensions at home, while 14% had to take on loans or borrow money.

Nearly all (94%) said they had taken steps to verify suspicious offers, from searching reviews to using anti-scam apps. Yet three-quarters remained confident they could spot scams, an overconfidence that researchers warn is misplaced.

On responsibility, 43% of respondents said public service organisations, particularly the government, should lead scam prevention, although consumer protection authorities were rated as more effective in resolving cases.

“Online scams are not just a consumer issue. They are now a major threat to digital trust, economic stability and personal safety,” says Abraham, who calls for stronger measures, including unified awareness campaigns, national helplines and deeper cooperation between government, financial institutions and digital platforms.

Nokia has signed an agreement with Extreme Broadband (EBB) and its subsidiary Open DC to upgrade Malaysia’s data centre infrastructure with enhanced security and performance capabilities. The partnership will interconnect six artificial intelligence (AI) data centres across Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, Penang and Kedah, enabling more reliable and resilient networks.

Nokia’s Data Center Gateway, Data Center Fabric and quantum-safe networks will be deployed, addressing the needs of sectors such as banking and finance while supporting Malaysia’s National Cloud Computing Policy.

In addition to the rollout, Nokia and EBB have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop data centre solutions, quantum-safe networks and enterprise connectivity services. This includes multi-cloud connectivity and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection.

A new study by Workday has revealed growing acceptance of AI agents in Malaysian companies, although employees remain wary of being managed by them. According to the report AI Agents Are Here — But Don’t Call Them Boss, 74% of workers in Malaysia are comfortable teaming up with AI agents but only 23% say they are comfortable being managed by one.

Adoption is expanding rapidly, with 83% of local organisations increasing their use of AI agents, particularly in finance and human resources. Nearly all respondents (94%) believe AI will boost productivity, yet concerns persist over ethical risks such as bias and misuse, with 53% identifying this as the main barrier.

Despite optimism, employees stressed the need for strict oversight, with 97% agreeing that AI management responsibilities should remain within IT or technology functions.

Law enforcement agencies in Asia-Pacific have frozen nearly US$50 million linked to pig butchering scams following collaboration between Chainalysis, OKX, Binance and Tether. The operation targeted Southeast Asia-based syndicates that use romance and investment fraud, often underpinned by human trafficking, to extract billions globally.

Investigators traced funds from multiple victims through a network of wallets, identifying five addresses holding USDT connected to the scams. Tether subsequently froze US$46.9 million in June 2024 at the direction of local authorities.

The case underscores the importance of blockchain analytics and industry partnerships in disrupting complex criminal enterprises. Exchanges and stablecoin issuers were able to detect suspicious flows, share intelligence and act quickly to block funds before further laundering.

Pig butchering scams have spread far beyond Asia, with perpetrators now targeting victims worldwide.

FWD Takaful Bhd and FWD Insurance Bhd have introduced two solutions designed to meet the long-term financial needs of the country’s emerging affluent population. FWD Hayaat and FWD LegacyGuard/LegacyGuard+ are aimed at providing financial protection, retirement planning and wealth transfer for future generations.

The launch follows the release of the FWD Well-Living Index 2024, which showed that more than 75% of Malaysians in this group use protection solutions to save for retirement or their children’s education. Key concerns identified include accidents (49%), critical illness (45%) and loss of income from a family breadwinner (30%).

FWD Hayaat focuses on retirement and healthcare, offering support for old-age illnesses and disability. FWD LegacyGuard and LegacyGuard+ provide legacy planning, with benefits such as guaranteed cash payments and coverage up to age 128, ensuring wealth preservation across generations.

Mimecast has appointed Leslie Nielsen as its new chief information security officer (CISO). A 25-year cybersecurity veteran, he previously served as senior vice-president and CISO at Klaviyo, where he strengthened defences and supported IPO-readiness as the firm scaled to US$1.3 billion in revenue.

In his new role, Nielsen will oversee Mimecast’s global cybersecurity strategy, including threat intelligence, risk assessment, incident response and regulatory compliance. His appointment reinforces the company’s focus on securing the human layer against AI-driven threats. He has also held senior roles at Nuance Communications, SAP Concur, SuccessFactors, IBM and SOS Security.

A life-size hologram police officer, developed by South Korean tech company Hologrammica and placed in Jodong No 3 Park in central Seoul, has cut crime by 22% since October 2024. Standing 1.7m tall, the projection delivers nightly safety messages under the “Safe Park” programme, deterring disorderly behaviour despite being unable to physically intervene, said Seoul Metropolitan Police chief Ahn Dong-hyun, reported the South China Morning Post.

With outdoor activities such as camping, caravanning and off-grid getaways becoming increasingly popular, reliable portable power devices have become a must-have for modern adventurers. The Schneider OffGrid Portable Power Station range offers a practical solution, making it ideal for everything from weekend escapes to spontaneous trips.

The power station allows users to recharge it in five ways while powering multiple devices, ensuring connectivity wherever they are. Despite their large battery capacity, the units remain lightweight and easy to carry, making them suitable for travel.

The intuitive LCD display provides real-time updates on charge levels, runtimes and system status, while pure sine wave — a smooth, consistent electrical waveform that closely matches the power you get from the grid — output safeguards sensitive appliances. A built-in wireless charging pad further reduces the need for extra cables, offering added convenience for smartphones and other smart devices.

Designed for caravans, camping and mobile charging, the range comes with a two-year repair or replacement warranty, reinforcing its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. Available on most e-commerce marketplaces, prices start from RM1,599.

Superagency offers a road map for using AI inclusively and adaptively to improve our lives and create positive change. While acknowledging challenges like disinformation and potential job changes, the book focuses on AI’s immense potential to increase individual agency and create better outcomes for society as a whole.

Imagine AI tutors personalising education for each child, researchers rapidly discovering cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer, and AI advisers empowering people to navigate complex systems and achieve their goals. Reid Hoffman and his co-author, tech and culture writer Greg Beato, envision a world where these possibilities, and many more, become a reality.

Superagency challenges conventional fears, inviting us to view the future through a lens of opportunity, rather than fear. It’s a call to action — to embrace AI with excitement and actively shape a world where human ingenuity and the power of AI combine to create something extraordinary. — Amazon

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play.