Scam Networks Deceive Youth Across Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa

Scammers worldwide are increasingly targeting vulnerable groups, particularly youth and students, with fake job offers, investment scams, and online earning schemes often promoted through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook. In Malaysia, despite high confidence in spotting scams, 73% of adults fell victim to scams, with investment frauds being the most common, and rising scam attempts via messaging apps. North Yorkshire Police warn about social media job scams promising easy money for liking or sharing content, often leading to financial loss and involvement in criminal activities like money mule networks. In Pakistan, a fake online earning app impersonating a British TV network defrauded investors of billions before abruptly disappearing, highlighting the dangers of unregulated digital income platforms. South African authorities caution youth about fake foreign job offers that can result in financial losses and even human trafficking, emphasizing skepticism toward offers that seem too good to be true. Across these regions, experts urge vigilance, education, and government action to protect individuals from these evolving scams.