Tax Scam - Fraud/Scam Types

What is a Tax Scam

The scam works in a way where the victims are contacted by the scammers through text messages ( or SMS ), phone calls, letters or e-mails regarding their tax arrears payments. They will then be transferred or connected to a representative from the “authorities” such as the Police, MACC, Court officer, etc., and the conversation continues till they are lured to transfer their funds into bank accounts that does not belong to LHDN.

How to spot a Tax Scam

LHDN officers/authorities will never instruct you to transfer your funds to unknown bank accounts.

LHDN officers/authorities will never ask for your username and password.

LHDN officers/authorities will not ask you to click on any links in order to receive tax refunds.

LHDN officers/authorities will never instruct you to transfer your funds to unknown bank accounts.

LHDN officers/authorities will never ask for your username and password.

LHDN officers/authorities will not ask you to click on any links in order to receive tax refunds.

How you can prevent a Tax Scam

Ask questions, as many as possible

Stay Calm and Think. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share with your family and friends. Never reveal your personal banking credentials to anyone.

Ensure that the tax arrears are only paid to LHDN:

For Income Tax and Real Property Gains Tax, payment is to be made to the ‘Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri (KPHDN) atau Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDNM)’.
For Stamp Duty, payment is to be made to the Collector of Stamp Duties.

Never download any application from suspicious sites/links requested by unknown callers. Always download applications from trusted sources such as Apple Store/Google Play/Huawei Gallery.

Do not click on any of the links received via a suspicious e-mail/chatting platform/social media

Ask questions, as many as possible

Stay Calm and Think. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share with your family and friends. Never reveal your personal banking credentials to anyone.

Ensure that the tax arrears are only paid to LHDN:

For Income Tax and Real Property Gains Tax, payment is to be made to the ‘Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri (KPHDN) atau Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDNM)’.
For Stamp Duty, payment is to be made to the Collector of Stamp Duties.

Never download any application from suspicious sites/links requested by unknown callers. Always download applications from trusted sources such as Apple Store/Google Play/Huawei Gallery.

Do not click on any of the links received via a suspicious e-mail/chatting platform/social media

Scenario of a Tax Scam

Abu was contacted by someone claiming to be from ‘LHDN’ and informed him that he was under investigation for his involvement in money laundering activities. The call was then transferred to ‘The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer’ and this cause Abu to panic. The ‘MACC Officer’ informed Abu that he is being investigated for money laundering. While pending investigation, Abu is instructed to transfer his money into a ‘safe’ bank account in order to “protect” his bank accounts from being blacklisted under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA). Abu was also reminded not to speak to anyone on this matter and was promised that his funds will be transferred back to his bank account once the investigation has completed.

Contact Us

Contact Us immediately if you believe your banking information is compromised or there has been an unauthorised transaction on your account.