KUCHING, May 24: Secondary school students here are falling prey to Facebook scammers who trick them into sending nude videos or photos of themselves in compromising positions.
One way how this happens is that scammers hack into Facebook accounts and posing as a ‘fake friend’ ask for personal information and for money, and even threaten underaged students to send nude and compromising photos of themselves through the Internet.
“We have received (reports of) multiples cases since last year of such scams where these hackers have often used such Facebook accounts to obtain personal information of a person or even ask for money.
“Many have fallen prey to such scams because they thought the person asking was really their friend or relative based on the Facebook account that contacted them,” said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii in a press statement today.
Dr Yii expressed sadness that the scam had now escalated and some children have fallen prey and sent nude videos or photos to the hackers.
Urging all parents and teachers to be vigilant of such happenings and to protect their children especially concerning their interactions online, Dr Yii pointed out that Internet and social media privileges for children must be exercised cautiously.
“(They must be taught) not to reveal too much personal information on the Internet, even on Facebook,” he said, adding that a report had been lodged with the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission(MCMC).
“We strongly urge the police department together with MCMC to view this matter urgently and take immediate actions to protect our children and students from such cyber-attacks and cyber scams. Imagine the trauma our students and children including the parents will have to go through if these photos are leaked to the public,” he said.
According to Dr Yii, the modus operandi of the hacker is to first send a private message on Facebook through an account of a friend or a familiar person which they have hacked earlier, asking the victim to click on a link with an excuse to help them verify something.
Once the targeted victim has clicked on link, the hacker will then gain full control of that particular Facebook account and in turn use this account to trick others on the victim’s friend list again, and the cycle continues.
Dr Yii also urged other victims or parents of victims in such cases to come forward so he can assist with the necessary procedures while protecting the victims’ identities and confidentiality. — DayakDaily
