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19-Year-Old M'sian Woman Asked To Send Nudes In 'Scholarship' Scam

The victim met the scammer via Telegram and was asked to complete an online health checkup for the scholarship application.

Cover image via New Straits Times & rawpixel.com/Freepik

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A 19-year-old woman was asked to submit documents and naked photographs of herself as part of an online health checkup requirement for a scholarship application

Batu Pahat district police chief ACP Ismail Dollah stated that the victim, a shop assistant, had previously met a woman through the Telegram application who offered a scholarship for the victim to further her studies, reported Harian Metro.

"The victim was required to upload pictures of herself dressed and undressed, as well as videos of herself naked," said Ismail.

After submitting her naked photos and videos, the victim was then asked to transfer money to the fake scholarship agent

"The victim was asked to deposit RM600 into an account as loan processing money. The victim followed all instructions," said Ismail.

According to Ismail, the victim then received a call from a man who asked her to deposit RM1,000 into a bank account. He then threatened to spread her nude video if she refused to do so.

He stated that the victim then realised she had been conned and lodged a report on Sunday, 11 September.

Police successfully tracked down and arrested the scammer, a 30-year-old man, the following day

"A mobile phone and an ATM card were seized. The police are also confident that they have successfully solved two extortion cases by arresting suspects who used the same modus operandi," Ismail said.

He added that the police are filing a remand application for the suspect to assist in further investigations under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.

If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:

1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter

2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.

Previously, SAYS interviewed a group of lawyers as well as non-governmental organisation All Women's Action Society (AWAM) on questions about the legality of sharing nudes:

In October 2020, a local Telegram group that was spreading women's photos without their consent was exposed:

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