KUALA LUMPUR: The surge in phone scams across Malaysia and Southeast Asia is more than just a cybercrime trend —it is a deeply rooted social issue that reflects a blend of psychological manipulation, socio-economic hardship and sophisticated criminal syndicates, said Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy.
Sundramoorthy, a senior criminologist and expert in crime psychology, said the persistence of these scams despite ongoing awareness campaigns and police crackdowns pointed to the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the perpetrators and their environment.
“Phone scammers often possess a high level of manipulative intelligence and emotional detachment. They are able to deceive others with calculated precision while suppressing empathy,” he told the New Straits Times.
“This psychological distance from their victims allows them to commit repeated acts of fraud without remorse.”
He said many scammers do not fit a singular profile, but trends show that they are usually males aged between 18 and 35, with backgrounds ranging from those with secondary education to vocational training.
“Often, they are individuals facing limited legitimate opportunities and are drawn into scam networks by peer influence or false job promises.
“In some of the regional scam hubs, such as in Cambodia or Myanmar, we’ve even seen cases where people are trafficked or lured with promises of legal employment, only to be trapped in organised scam operations.”
He added that unlike thieves or robbers, scammers enjoy a certain degree of anonymity, which further distances themselves emotionally from the harm they cause.
He said this psychological barrier helps fraudsters rationalise their actions.
“Many justify their crimes by blaming victims’ gullibility or convincing themselves that what they’re doing isn’t really harmful.
“They see online fraud as a non-violent, low-risk, high-reward crime, which makes it especially attractive.”
Within scam syndicates, especially in well-structured call centres, low-level operatives are often trained to suppress ethical doubts, he added.
He said they are given scripts, quotas and work within an environment that mimics corporate structures, a system that further erodes personal accountability and moral reasoning.
“Over time, traits such as narcissism, impulsivity and superficial charm become more pronounced, especially among high-level players.
“In some extreme cases, psychopathic behaviour can emerge — a complete lack of remorse, with victims viewed as nothing more than tools for personal gain.”
He also acknowledged the role of the environment in fuelling scam networks.
“Operations are often based in economically deprived areas or loosely governed border zones, where law enforcement is weak and criminality is normalised.
“In these zones, crime becomes part of the social fabric. New recruits are pressured by peers and groomed to disconnect from the reality of the damage they cause.”
He said while Malaysia has robust laws under the Computer Crimes Act 1997 and the Penal Code, law enforcers still face serious challenges, particularly with the transnational nature of scam syndicates.
“These are not local operations. Many scam centres operate across borders, making it difficult for police to act without international cooperation and real-time intelligence sharing.
“Without advanced digital forensics and cross-border partnerships, scammers continue to exploit legal loopholes with ease.”
To effectively combat this growing threat, Sundramoorthy called for early intervention through community-based programmes, digital literacy education and job outreach in high-risk areas.
“We need to address the root causes —unemployment, lack of opportunity and digital naivety.
“Educating our youth, offering mentorship and creating economic pathways are essential to prevent them from falling into this trap.”
Sundramoorthy also highlighted a worrying trend of convicted scammers falling back into their old ways after incarceration.
“Many show little to no remorse, especially if they’ve profited well and faced minimal punishment.
“Some even return to the same syndicates. Rehabilitation must include viable job alternatives. Without that, the cycle will continue.”
As for victims, empathy from scammers is virtually non-existent, he said.
“To them, victims are just voices on the phone or a name on a screen. They condition themselves to ignore the emotional and financial devastation they inflict —and in some tragic cases, even suicides that result from their scams.”
Sundramoorthy said phone scams must be recognised not merely as cybercrimes, but as reflections of deeper systemic issues.
“This is a societal problem, rooted in inequality, poor digital education, weak enforcement, and a culture of moral disengagement.
“If we want to break the cycle, we must tackle all these elements —not just the crime, but the conditions that allow it to thrive.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
