Bursa Malaysia Advises Public to Be More Vigilant as Investment Scam Cases Rise

Bursa Malaysia has issued a public advisory urging Malaysians to exercise greater vigilance as investment scam cases continue to climb in 2026. The exchange operator warned that scammers are increasingly using Bursa Malaysia's name, logo, and the names of licensed stockbroking firms to lend credibility to fraudulent investment schemes.

The advisory comes amid a surge in reports of fake trading platforms, bogus investment groups on Telegram and WhatsApp, and impersonation of licensed remisiers. Investment fraud remains one of the highest-loss scam categories in Malaysia, contributing significantly to the RM2.7 billion in total scam losses reported in 2025 as documented by Malaysia Scam Losses Rm2 7 Billion 2025.

Bursa Malaysia emphasised that it does not operate any investment platform directly accessible to retail investors, does not solicit investments via social media, and does not guarantee returns. Any entity making such claims using Bursa's name is fraudulent.

Investment scams in Malaysia follow a well-documented playbook outlined in Investment Crypto Fraud. Victims are typically recruited through social media advertisements, messaging app groups, or dating platforms. The scammer builds trust over days or weeks, then introduces a "guaranteed" investment opportunity in stocks, forex, cryptocurrency, or gold.

Victims are directed to download a fake trading app or access a fraudulent website that displays fabricated profits. Early "withdrawals" are sometimes allowed to build confidence. Once the victim invests a larger sum, the platform freezes withdrawals, demands additional "tax" or "processing fees," and eventually disappears. Some schemes operate for months, accumulating victims before shutting down.

How can I check if an investment platform is legitimate?

Visit the Securities Commission Malaysia website (sc.com.my) and check their Investor Alert List, which catalogues known fraudulent entities. Also verify that the intermediary is on the SC's public register. If the platform is not registered, do not invest.

Does Bursa Malaysia contact individuals about investment opportunities?

No. Bursa Malaysia operates the stock exchange infrastructure but does not directly solicit retail investors. All legitimate stock trading in Malaysia occurs through SC-licensed stockbroking firms. Any message claiming to be from Bursa Malaysia offering investment opportunities is a scam.

How do I report this scam in Malaysia?

Call 997 (NSRC), lodge a police report, report via SemakMule at semakmule.rmp.gov.my.