False posts target Malaysians with imposter websites and WhatsApp hotlines for government aid application
- Published on October 3, 2024 at 07:27
- 3 min read
- By Raevathi SUPRAMANIAM, AFP Malaysia
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"MyKasih cash aid worth RM1,200 has been credited to MyKad: List of recipients and how to use it," read a Malay-language Facebook post shared in a group with more than 23,000 followers on September 18, 2024.
A graphic attached to the post shows a picture of Malaysia's national identity card, MyKad, and overlaid Malay-language text that repeats the claim. The country's coat of arms is included in the graphic's top-right corner.
The post included a link to a WhatsApp chat that includes the default message "I want to apply now". It also linked to a website bearing official logos, including the Malaysian coat of arms and the logo of the Inland Revenue Board, that invites users to enter their phone numbers to "check the status" (archived link).
Similar claims were shared elsewhere on Facebook and on TikTok.
The posts appear to be referring to a subsidy scheme called Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, which is offered by the Malaysian government in partnership with the non-profit MyKasih foundation (archived links here and here).
According to the Ministry of Finance, the subsidy -- which offers 1,200 ringgit to households and 600 ringgit to single individuals -- was announced in January 2024 and is expected to benefit 700,000 of the poorest Malaysians.
To qualify for the subsidy, households and individuals have to be registered under the National Poverty Data Bank, known as eKasih. Information in this central database is also obtained through the Poor Household Census conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Eligible recipients get 100 or 50 ringgit every month through their MyKad, rather than as a one-off payment as claimed in the false posts.
Eligibility for the programme can be checked online, but only on the official website of the Inland Revenue Board (archived link).
Below is a screenshot comparison of the imposter website (left) and the official Inland Revenue Board website (right):
The Ministry of Finance said on its official Facebook page on August 30 that it had not credited 1,200 ringgit to all Malaysians' MyKad (archived link).
"Don’t be fooled by such news," the ministry said. "Follow our official channels and social media for up to date and authentic news."
AFP has previously debunked hoax posts on social media purportedly advertising services to obtain government subsidies here, here and here.
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