On 26 September 2024, over 200 students and staff members at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) attended a vital awareness talk and empowerment programme titled “#JanganKenaScam.” The event, supported by the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) and conducted by the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), was held in collaboration with APU’s School of Technology (SoT) and School of Finance and Accounting (SoAF).

Distinguished guests Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of SoT, and Associate Professor Dr Chong Lee Lee, Head of SoAF, were present to lend their support. The programme aimed to educate participants about the rising threat of financial scams and how to stay safe in today’s increasingly digital environment. 

As a Premier Digital Tech University appointed by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), APU took a leading role in the fight against tech-related scams. With the support of its technology and finance departments, the university helped raise awareness about the growing risks. 

"By focusing on the intersection of technology and security, SoT supports this initiative by educating students on how these scams can operate within the digital space," shared Ts Muhammad Amin Sahari, SoT Lecturer and event in-charge. 

Ms Nalini Gebril, SoAF Lecturer and event in-charge added, "This event addressed the rising prevalence of financial scams, particularly those that exploit digital technologies, which is a critical issue in today’s online world."

Ms Nur Syamira binti Nor Amiza, Senior Case Management Officer at Public Bank Berhad and an experienced fraud risk assessor, led the awareness talk. She introduced participants to various types of scams—including job, e-commerce, impersonation, loan, and investment scams—while sharing essential tips on how to avoid them.

To reinforce the information, the event featured an interactive quiz and a sharing session where five students and a lecturer recounted their personal experiences of falling victim to scams. The participants' enthusiasm was evident, with quiz winners taking home merchandise from ABM. 

An interactive education booth with a financial scam simulator provided further insights into scam tactics, while all attendees received bumper stickers and enjoyed complimentary refreshments, including chicken popcorn and ice cream. 

Reflecting on the event, Zeti Qurshiah binti Juhari, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cybersecurity) student, said, “I almost became a victim of a financial scam. This talk helped me recognise scams, use tools to verify investment software, and be more cautious in protecting my privacy and security.” 

Another participant, Khuseinov Adil, also a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cybersecurity) student, shared, “After attending this talk, I learned about the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline. I now feel more confident in identifying suspicious links and scams. This event truly opened my eyes to the risks and how to avoid them.”

The #JanganKenaScam initiative was a valuable learning experience for the APU community, equipping attendees with the tools to stay vigilant in an increasingly complex digital world.