KUALA LUMPUR – Scammers are finding new ways to exploit WhatsApp to deceive the public, prompting Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil to call for stronger verification of telephone numbers linked to accounts on the messaging platform.
Fahmi said the government was looking into the issue following reports of fraudulent calls and messages involving WhatsApp accounts, including cases in which scammers impersonated Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officers, Malay Mail Online reported.
He said the problem was also drawing international attention, with several countries raising concerns over the misuse of WhatsApp for scam calls during discussions involving the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
“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 additional safeguards were necessary as scammers continued to change their methods in response to measures introduced by authorities to disrupt their activities.
MCMC had previously implemented technical measures to block caller ID spoofing, a tactic that allows fraudsters to manipulate the telephone numbers displayed on recipients’ devices to make calls appear legitimate.
“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 follow police raids in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, which led to the arrest of 61 people suspected of involvement in three scam syndicates.
One of the groups allegedly impersonated MCMC officers to carry out telephone scams, while the other two were suspected of using WhatsApp to offer bogus part-time jobs to victims in Indonesia.
Fahmi also warned the public to be wary of callers claiming to represent MCMC or the Communications Ministry, particularly those threatening to disconnect telephone services over alleged unpaid bills or other offences.
He stressed that neither the ministry nor MCMC would contact members of the public to issue such threats, as matters involving telephone services were handled by telecommunications companies.
“MCMC will not call to give orders to shut down telephone lines. That is the job of the telecommunications company itself.
“The Communications Ministry is also not involved in such actions,” he said.
He added that MCMC did not handle enforcement matters involving unpaid telephone bills, which fell under the responsibility of telecommunications service providers.
Fahmi said authorities would take action against those involved in the scams, with suspects to be arrested and investigated before potentially facing charges in court if they were found to have violated the law.
He advised those receiving suspicious calls to hang up immediately and lodge reports with the police or MCMC instead of following the caller’s instructions.
Those who had fallen victim to scams were also urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 immediately.
“If you receive a call to cancel your telephone line and suspect that something is wrong, first put down the call. Second, make a report, either to the police or MCMC. You can also call 997,” he said.
WhatsApp currently requires users to verify control of a telephone number during account registration through a code sent via SMS or an automated telephone call.
However, Fahmi’s proposal points to the possibility of stronger identity checks for numbers associated with accounts as authorities seek to close gaps exploited by scammers. – November 15, 2026