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KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) has warned businesses against fraudulent procurement schemes involving scammers impersonating its officials to obtain sensitive documents and demand upfront payments.
Matrade said the scammers had been contacting vendors via email and WhatsApp, claiming to seek urgent services for overseas trade delegations, international exhibitions and corporate recreational events.
These included booth translation services and other event-related requirements, with businesses asked to submit company profiles, Companies Commission of Malaysia registration certificates, bank statements and Finance Ministry certificates.
The documents were subsequently used to fabricate letters of award and government purchase orders.
Matrade said several companies had fallen victim to the scam and suffered financial losses after making upfront payments to purported sub-vendors.
“Under this deceptive tactic, scammers instruct awarded vendors to immediately buy merchandise gift supplies from an appointed sub-vendor to fulfil contract specifications before government disbursement.
“These third-party entities are fraudulent shell accounts operated directly by the syndicate,” it said.
Matrade said it viewed the matter seriously and had lodged reports, including one with CyberSecurity Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
The reports were intended to facilitate digital forensic investigations and enforcement action.