As online scams targeting students grow more sophisticated, INTI International College Penang is stepping up prevention efforts through direct engagement with law enforcement. On 7 May 2025, the college hosted the “PDRM Forum: Financial Crime Awareness,” bringing officers from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) face-to-face with over 150 students to address rising digital threats.
The half-day forum highlighted seven common scam types—including fake investments, job scams, and using student bank accounts as “mule accounts.” Officers shared real cases and up-to-date statistics, equipping students with practical knowledge to recognise and respond to fraud.
Inspector Muhammad Hazrin bin Muhammad Zain of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) speaks to INTI Penang students on the dangers of financial scams, highlighting how fraud affects future opportunities.
The event was officiated by DSP Salim bin Amin, Head of Crime Prevention and Community Safety, Northeast District Police Headquarters, and Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang. Their joint presence highlighted a shared priority: protecting students from digital exploitation.
“Scams today are not just financial crimes—they exploit trust and ambition,” said Hemalatha. “By creating platforms like this, we empower students to make informed decisions in a digital world. Academic excellence must now be paired with digital awareness, ethical values, and social responsibility.”
She added, “As educators, we must prepare students for the world as it is, not just in theory, but in practice. That includes being alert to risks that could derail their futures.”
DSP Salim, speaking on behalf of the Northeast District Police Chief, revealed troubling figures.
“In 2024, we recorded 72 scam cases involving college and university students in this district. In just the first four months of this year, there have already been 14,” he said.
“The most common scams involve bogus job offers, fake loans, and online shopping fraud. Even more concerning is how often students give away their bank account details—sometimes without realising the risks.”
He urged students to use the SemakMule app to check suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts and promoted the National Scam Response Centre’s 24-hour hotline (997) to stop fraudulent transactions in real time.
The forum’s main presenter, Inspector Muhammad Hazrin bin Muhammad Zain, brought seven years of experience in commercial crime to the stage. Through real student cases, he explained how easily young people can become unwitting accomplices—and how steep the consequences can be.
Students and officers from the Royal Malaysia Police at INTI Penang during the forum on digital fraud and scam prevention.
“You are not invincible online,” he said. “Once you share or sell your bank account, your future can be seriously affected, even unknowingly. Bank Negara Malaysia may blacklist you—making it difficult to get a job, open an account, or even pursue your career.”
He also spoke on the emotional toll of scams, pointing out that some victims are left with long-term financial and psychological damage. His candid delivery—mixing humour, facts, and real warnings—struck a chord with the audience.
By translating enforcement strategies into everyday language, the forum helped students see scams not as distant threats but as real dangers with lasting impact.