In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
A New York court has rejected Zelle's attempt to dismiss a major fraud lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Letitia James, allowing the case alleging over $1 billion in consumer losses to proceed to trial.
Malaysia's communications regulator has been tasked with investigating how influencer Khairul Aming's phone bill was allegedly leaked. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed authorities would examine the incident thoroughly.
Prominent Malaysian influencer and entrepreneur Khairul Aming has voiced alarm after his personal phone billing information appeared online without authorization, shared by someone unknown to him.
Health authorities in Penang have temporarily closed a supermarket at Gurney Drive over hygiene violations discovered during routine inspection, part of ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards statewide.
The European Commission has imposed a record €550 million fine on AliExpress for failing to adequately tackle illegal and counterfeit products on its platform, marking the third enforcement action under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Lao authorities have formally indicted the owner of Tiger Vodka distillery and staff at Nana Backpackers Hostel following the deaths of six foreign tourists in Vangvieng last November. Police identified elevated methanol levels in the vodka but faced legal constraints in determining cause of death.
China has imprisoned a blogger for 20 months after he fabricated safety claims about Xiaomi's electric vehicle. The case reflects Beijing's intensifying efforts to combat misinformation in the competitive EV sector.
A Bengaluru daycare centre has rejected allegations of systematic abuse, instead accusing two dismissed employees of staging videos outside CCTV coverage to extort money and secure reinstatement following their termination for workplace misconduct.
Malaysian authorities have dismantled a sophisticated investment fraud operation in Melaka, leading to the arrest of 21 Chinese nationals suspected of orchestrating non-existent investment schemes that defrauded victims regionally.
Malaysia's Court of Appeal has upheld a RM28 million judgment against Singaporean businessman Chan Cheh Shin over investment fraud allegations, finding he actively promoted fraudulent schemes through public seminars and roadshows.
Lotus Malaysia has initiated a thorough probe following allegations that a pregnant woman shoplifted at its Selayang outlet in Selangor. The supermarket chain is examining circumstances surrounding the incident.
Sibu Municipal Council will implement a grace period and introduce a senior citizen parking pass for the SMC Cares Smart Parking system, responding to widespread user frustration over technical issues and swift penalty issuance.
Meta disclosed that four US states are pursuing $1.4 trillion in penalties, claiming the company designed Facebook and Instagram to hook young users and concealed safety risks from the public.
Generative AI has transformed internet fraud, eliminating traditional red flags that once exposed scams. Criminals now deploy convincing deepfakes, lookalike websites and voice cloning to steal money. Here's what Southeast Asian consumers need to know.
Malaysia's eCOSS mobile application has effectively reduced leakages of subsidised cooking oil since its May 2024 rollout, with 5.261 million registered users and steady market supply, Deputy Domestic Trade Minister Fuziah Salleh confirmed in Parliament.
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Perak police arrested a woman and her two adult children for allegedly swindling a 67-year-old woman of RM8,000 worth of jewellery through a scheme offering fake hospital aid assistance.
Authorities have arrested a woman and her two adult children over allegations they defrauded an elderly pensioner of RM8,000 worth of jewellery by posing as welfare officials. Police recovered the stolen items from a pawnshop.
Malaysia's government will implement minimum pricing requirements and standardised service standards for umrah packages to prevent operators from undercutting on price while compromising pilgrims' welfare and religious experience.
European regulators are tightening rules on video game loot boxes and age restrictions, targeting mechanics critics say exploit young players. The move could slash billions from global gaming revenue and force industry-wide changes.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into ticket resale platform StubHub following complaints from World Cup attendees whose tickets failed to arrive, despite the company's FanProtect Guarantee promise.
Bank Negara Malaysia is asking the public to report instances where they face RM1 charges for withdrawing money from their own bank's ATM machines, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has launched 'Jom Beli Selamat!' campaign with e-commerce platform Shopee and the Royal Malaysian Police to combat a sharp surge in online fraud, which has cost citizens over RM4.54 billion since 2024.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has mandated that e-wallet companies must fully compensate scam victims within seven working days if they fail to implement mandatory fraud prevention measures set by Bank Negara Malaysia.
Australia's competition regulator has filed legal action against Amazon, claiming the company unfairly forced over 1 million Prime subscribers to pay extra for ad-free streaming despite previous annual payments.
A High Court has rejected an attempt by an Umno-linked politician and two associates to postpone repayment of RM492,480 owed to umrah pilgrims. The refusal clears the way for the funds to be returned without delay.
The High Court has rejected an application by three former travel company directors to delay repayment of RM492,480 to umrah pilgrims whose trips were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, upholdinga fraud conviction.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry has signalled it will enforce strict penalties against social media platforms failing to implement age verification, with maximum fines reaching RM10 million under existing legislation.
Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal has authorised consumer group Which? to proceed with a £3 billion damages claim against Apple, alleging the tech giant restricted cloud storage choices and overcharged users.
Malaysia's competition regulator has concluded there are no signs of anti-competitive behaviour affecting housing prices, citing stable market growth and no substantive complaints from the public.
YouTube has settled a lawsuit from a Florida teenager who alleged the platform harmed his mental health through addictive design. The move comes as over 5,900 similar cases proceed against social media giants across US courts.
Malaysia's Domestic Trade Minister clarified that MADANI Mart functions as a private retail venture managed by licensed business entities operating under Yayasan MADANI, a foundation registered with the Companies Commission.
More than 100 victims of investment fraud gathered in Kuala Lumpur to demand faster police action against 18 companies allegedly operating coordinated scam schemes, raising concerns about enforcement capacity.
Major fuel retailers including BP, Marathon Petroleum, and 7-Eleven face a class action lawsuit from California drivers alleging they used artificial intelligence to coordinate artificially high gasoline prices, potentially costing consumers billions annually.
A Malaysian consumer advocacy group has uncovered a sprawling property fraud racket spanning five years, affecting more than 100 victims and resulting in losses exceeding RM50 million. The syndicate allegedly involves loan sharks working in tandem with lawyers and government officials.
Beijing authorities have arrested more than 30 people in connection with an elaborate health centre scam targeting seniors. The fraudsters used soy sauce in intestinal cleansing liquids to convince vulnerable elderly people they harboured dangerous toxins, costing victims over US$1.5 million.
Japan's Fair Trade Commission has raided six of the country's largest ice cream manufacturers on suspicion of price-fixing. Investigators believe company executives coordinated price rises through emails and meetings over several years.
The EU has declined to legally mandate that publishers keep discontinued games playable, disappointing supporters of the million-signature 'Stop Destroying Videogames' petition. The bloc will instead pursue a voluntary code of conduct.
Vietnam's new Government Decree No. 208 will require airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays, cancellations, and rescheduled flights starting next month, establishing clear consumer protection standards.
Amazon could face civil penalties from a US Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over claims it misled advertisers about advertising terms and pricing, Bloomberg News reported.
A major cybersecurity study reveals that consumers using pirate streaming services face serious risks including malware infection, identity theft, and financial fraud. Nearly half of tested illegal apps contained malicious code.
Romance scams have become one of the world's fastest-growing online frauds, with criminals using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities and extract millions from unsuspecting victims across multiple continents.