A member of ME4A team, Paveethra Gurusamy, recently encountered a convincing scam disguised as an official EPF withdrawal announcement. This experience highlights the importance of online vigilance. Learn how to spot red flags and protect yourself from online scams.
Scrolling through TikTok the other day, a post titled “Pengeluaran KWSP Kini Dibenarkan” (EPF Withdrawal Now Allowed) caught my eye. With the current discussions around EPF withdrawal, my heart skipped a beat. In times of financial uncertainty, it’s natural for me to seek out information about potential opportunities. Could this finally be the news I’d been waiting for?
Screenshot of the post by MALAYSIA MADANI TikTok page
The post appeared on a page called “MALAYSIA MADANI,” complete with the familiar blue and yellow colors used by official government aid programs. It looked convincing, with thousands of views, likes, and shares. But something felt off. Clicking on the profile picture, I noticed a slight mismatch – the design wasn’t identical to the official government pages I usually followed. Still, hope lingered. I dived into the comments to seek for confirmation. While some users expressed excitement, others raised questions about the source.
Screenshot of the MALAYSIA MADANI TikTok page (notice their username is bantuankerajaann2024)
What makes this post believable is that the page is set to look like a verified government page. By impersonating an authoritative page including the name and the profile picture, the scammers exploit the users by taking advantage of people’s trust and their need for financial aid. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further. The username “@bantuankerajannn2024” seemed unusual, lacking the professionalism expected from an official government account. Additionally, the single link in the bio, supposedly used for various purposes like checking application status and applying for withdrawal, raised red flags. Remembering a recent news report about online scams, I decided to play it safe. A quick search revealed the Ministry of Finance didn’t have a TikTok account, further fueling my suspicion. If this were genuine news, wouldn’t it be on off of their verified social media platforms like Instagram, where they are present?
The screenshot of the official Ministry of Finance Instagram page.
Finally, I visited the Ministry of Finance website (ending in “.gov.my”) and meticulously combed through every section. No mention of EPF withdrawal surfaced. This was the clincher.
While the Tik Tok post might seem believable at first glance, several red flags should raise suspicion:
Suspicious username: The username “@bantuankerajannn2024” is unusual for an official government page and lacks professionalism.
Universal link: The single link in the bio supposedly serves various purposes, which is unlikely for a legitimate government channel.
Ministry of Finance’s absence: The Ministry of Finance does not have an official TikTok account. If the announcement were genuine, it would likely be posted on their official social media platforms, including Instagram, where they are present.
Missing news reports: No credible news outlets reported any government announcement regarding EPF withdrawal.
No authoritative confirmation: The Ministry of Finance’s website (ending in “.gov.my”) does not mention any EPF withdrawal initiative. This is a crucial piece of evidence confirming the claim’s falsehood
Taking a deep breath, relief washed over me. I may not have gotten the news I wanted, but at least I wasn’t scammed. This experience served as a stark reminder: even seemingly credible information online can be misleading.
The official website of the Ministry of Finance
Checking the government’s accredited statements or announcements can provide a reliable source of information and help the users to navigate through the online world with increased confidence. Thorough examination of the official website, including every tab, revealed no information regarding EPF withdrawal applications. This confirmed the crucial observation that no verified sources had released any information about such a withdrawal, solidifying my conclusion that the claim was false.
Staying safe online
The claim “Pengeluaran KWSP Kini Dibenarkan” on Tik Tok is false. The page “MALAYSIA MADANI” impersonating an authorized government agency is a scam attempting to steal personal information.
Here’s what I learned:
Don’t be click-happy: Take a moment to verify information before clicking on links, especially those promising financial benefits.
Double-check official sources: Always refer to verified government websites and social media pages for official announcements.
Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t hesitate to investigate further before sharing or acting on the information.
Sharing this experience isn’t to scare anyone, but rather to raise awareness. By staying vigilant and verifying information, we can all navigate the online world with confidence and avoid falling victim to scams. Remember, a few extra minutes of research can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Cover image and graphics by Nuur Hafizah Ramdan, story written by Paveethra Gurusamy and edited by Hazwany Jamaluddin.