JOHOR BARU: A company here has suffered losses amounting to RM177,460 after falling prey to a business email compromise (BEC) scam.

       Johor police Commercial Crime chief Asst Comm Amran Md Jusin said that the company had received an email from one of its suppliers requesting that they make payment into a different account, claiming that there were some problems with the account they normally use.

       "Without any doubts or asking any questions, the company made the transaction into the new bank account as instructed.

       "They only realised that they have fallen prey to the tricks of the scammers after being contacted by the actual supplier who said that they have not received any payments.

       "The supplier also denied sending the email," he said in a statement here on Friday (April 15).

       He urged the public, especially businesses to be wary of such scams, which operate by sending an email using an email address that is similar to the ones used by the company's suppliers or business partners.

       "They will then ask for the victims to make payment to an account that is different from the ones used previously," he said.

       He also advised the public, especially businesses to check the email address they correspond with carefully besides contacting suppliers or business partners to check if the email was genuine from them and if there was really a change in bank account number.

       "Do not click any suspicious links received via email, especially if it involves entering the username and password of a bank account.

       "Companies should also ensure that their computers are equipped with antivirus that is updated frequently and should always use strong passwords that are regularly changed," he said.

       ACP Amran also told the public to use the online services provided by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) such as 'Semak Mule', CCID Scam Response Centre, CCID hotline and its Facebook page to receive information concerning commercial crimes.