#ThinkTwice storytimes: a don’t-get-scammed lesson for M’sians

2026-03-09 - 00:04

Popular local creator Moses Wong is calling on the online community to share their personal scam experiences so that others can better protect themselves. (TikTok Malaysia pic) PETALING JAYA: What started as one creator sharing a personal story on TikTok has now snowballed into a nationwide community movement. The new #ThinkTwice trend began when popular local creator, Moses Wong (@moseswck), posted a video about how someone close to him almost fell victim to a job scam. Beyond warning viewers, Moses urged others to stitch the video with their own experiences and insights. This sparked a flood of content from other creators and even everyday Malaysians who shared their personal scam experiences so others could learn how to better protect themselves. Turning first-hand experiences into financial lessons Inspired by Moses, another TikTok creator, J (@isawkwardguy), shared his chilling encounter with a Macau scam, a type of phishing and phone scam in which scammers impersonate authorities. He recounted receiving a high-pressure call from someone claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), alleging he had unpaid taxes and threatening legal action if no immediate payment was made Despite knowing he didn’t owe any taxes on his income, the caller’s aggressive tone caused J to panic, reveal sensitive personal information, and almost make the payment before his friend intervened. J is now urging Malaysians to think twice before answering such phone calls, noting that legitimate officials would never ask for personal information via unofficial texts, emails, or phone calls, nor request payments via unofficial peer-to-peer transfers. Popular local personality Jestinna Kuan (@jestinna) also chimed in, sharing a harrowing story about a friend who was approached on the street by a couple posing as tourists, asking for help taking their photo. The scam escalated when, upon taking the phone from them, the screen suddenly went black. The couple immediately accused her friend of breaking it and began guilt-tripping her. After exchanging contacts to “fix” the device, the harassment began. The couple claimed the phone was beyond repair and demanded she pay for a brand-new replacement, eventually asking for RM3,000 to “split the cost”. They also began threatening her. This is a classic tourist scam designed to trigger panic and guilt, using rigged devices to extort money from helpful citizens who feel responsible for the “accident.” Jestinna’s advice was clear. She urged viewers to #ThinkTwice by taking a moment to pause, prevent, and protect. When in doubt, contact local authorities for guidance and support. Meanwhile, TikTok creator Kee (@cloutykee) also joined in by sharing a Macau and phishing scam that cost his best friend RM2,000, after scammers pretended to be a banker and a police officer via a phone call from an unknown number. “They scare you first, then rush you into making a transfer,” Kee said, highlighting how fear and authority are used to trap victims. “The first step in preventing scams is staying informed. This is a form of phishing and a phone scam. For government transactions, please use only official websites and secure payment gateways; never make direct bank transfers. Remember to always verify the spelling of the email and website domain too,” Kee said. As a result, many more Malaysians stitched Moses’s content with their own personal #ThinkTwice scam prevention tips. A community that protects one another The #ThinkTwice movement has now grown beyond just content. It has become a space where Malaysians use digital platforms like TikTok to look out for one another. What began as individual stories has now transformed into a shared effort, proving that awareness grows stronger when the community steps up together. Local content creators and everyday Malaysians are now publicly sharing their close encounters with scams of every kind imaginable. Strengthening digital literacy through collaboration #ThinkTwice is urging the public to pause before reacting to online requests and threats from strangers. (TikTok Malaysia pic) #ThinkTwice is a digital literacy initiative by TikTok Malaysia that aims to cultivate a safer online space by nurturing a more informed community through simplified access to educational resources on scam prevention. TikTok aims to raise awareness among millions of users nationwide through a multi-pronged approach in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), and other key government agencies. Its multilingual #ThinkTwice Knowledge Hub, available in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil, offers step-by-step safety guides and essential scam awareness information for all Malaysians. #ThinkTwice is a digital literacy initiative by TikTok Malaysia aimed at protecting Malaysians from falling prey to online scammers. (TikTok Malaysia pic) The stories may differ, but the message stays the same. Pause before reacting. Prevent harm by verifying and reporting. Protect yourself and those around you by raising awareness. For more information, click here.