Police warn of 'Free Wi-Fi' scams in airports, public areas

The Police Anti-Scam Centre issued a public caution on Monday, urging vigilance against deceptive 'free Wi-Fi' offers at public locations, particularly airports. This advisory follows reports of individuals falling victim to scams under the guise of complimentary internet access.

Authorities emphasized the need for heightened caution, especially for travelers, regarding public Wi-Fi scams. A recent social media post from the police highlighted a rise in fraudulent activities utilizing hotspots labeled 'Free WiFi' to defraud individuals in places such as airports.

To mitigate such incidents, the police recommend verifying that the network name corresponds to the official Wi-Fi service. Furthermore, individuals are strongly advised against accessing banking applications or email accounts, and refraining from sensitive financial transactions, while connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

The police also suggested that individuals exercise prudence and utilize reliable Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) if personal information is requested to access Wi-Fi services.

In conjunction with their warning, the police shared a cautionary tale involving a Malaysian citizen in Thailand. At Bangkok Airport, a Malaysian traveler reportedly lost funds to scammers who exploited a counterfeit "Free Airport WiFi" network to gain access to their credit card, subsequently using it for luxury item purchases. Other travelers also reportedly suffered losses of personal data in similar incidents. Authorities reiterated the importance of verifying Wi-Fi networks, avoiding sensitive online activities on public networks, and prioritizing mobile data for enhanced security.

The increase in fraud cases employing modern technology led to the establishment of the Anti-Scam Center on March 17.

On Saturday, the Anti-Scam Center further alerted users to scams targeting Viber accounts for verification codes. This followed a police warning two days prior concerning fraudulent messages instructing recipients to reapply for flats under a previous government housing scheme.

The police continue to urge the public not to share personal information under any circumstances to safeguard against scams. They also advise enabling two-factor authentication on applications and meticulously verifying the recipient's identity before making any payments.

Instances of fraud can be reported by contacting the police emergency number, 911, or the anti-scam hotline, 125.