Malaysia’s banking industry has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting customers from financial fraud, with 68 exceptional bank employees receiving recognition at the #JanganKenaScam Bank Heroes Recognition Event 2026. The award recipients were honoured for their outstanding vigilance and swift actions in preventing more than RM139 million in fraudulent transactions throughout 2025, helping countless customers avoid significant financial losses.
Now in its second consecutive year, the Bank Heroes Recognition Event forms part of the nationwide #JanganKenaScam campaign, an initiative launched in 2023 by The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and The Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM). Organised in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the event highlights the strong partnership between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies in combating the growing threat of scams through public education, prevention efforts, and intelligence sharing.
Speaking at the event, Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar, Chairman of the National Taskforce to Combat Fraud and Group CEO of Community Financial Services, Maybank, praised the dedication of bank employees who serve on the frontlines against financial crime. He noted that their ability to identify suspicious activities and intervene before scams are successfully executed has played a vital role in safeguarding customers and preserving public trust in the banking system.
The banking industry’s anti-fraud efforts have produced encouraging results. In 2025, fraudulent transaction attempts successfully blocked increased by 46 per cent compared to the previous year. The total value of prevented fraudulent transactions also surged to RM1.19 billion, reflecting a three-fold increase year-on-year as banks continue to strengthen security measures amid increasingly sophisticated scam tactics.
The Royal Malaysia Police also acknowledged the importance of industry collaboration in tackling commercial crimes. Commissioner of Police Dato’ Rusdi Mohd Isa, Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), emphasised that close cooperation between banks and law enforcement agencies has significantly enhanced efforts to protect the public against evolving scam threats through information sharing and coordinated enforcement strategies.
Several anti-scam initiatives have also delivered positive outcomes. More than 38,000 customers have utilised Money Vault and Money Lock features, securing over RM600 million in protected accounts. Malware shielding capabilities have successfully prevented over 60,000 scam attempts involving approximately RM22 million in potential losses, while Kill Switch functions activated by around 300,000 users have helped avert nearly RM7 million in losses. Additionally, banks have introduced self-service security tools and in-app account security checks to empower customers to better manage and protect their accounts.
Beyond technology-driven solutions, banks continue to invest in public awareness campaigns and cybersecurity education, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), ensuring that Malaysians are equipped with the knowledge needed to identify and avoid scams. These efforts reflect the industry’s ongoing commitment to enhancing fraud literacy and building a safer digital banking environment for all.
This year’s recognition event featured staff from 14 participating banks, including Agrobank, Alliance Bank, AmBank, Bank of China, Bank Islam, Bank Muamalat, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, Public Bank, RHB and UOB. Together, these institutions continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding Malaysians against financial scams and strengthening confidence in the nation’s banking ecosystem.
