In the ongoing battle against financial fraud, it’s easy to focus on the technology—but today, we are celebrating the humans behind the shield. The recent #JanganKenaScam Bank Heroes Recognition Event 2026 shone a well-deserved spotlight on 68 exceptional bank employees who went above and beyond to protect their customers.
These dedicated individuals didn’t just clock in and out; they actively thwarted financial disasters. In 2025 alone, their vigilance in identifying suspicious transactions and intervening in potential scams helped prevent a staggering RM139 million in fraudulent transactions.
A Collective Effort Against a Growing Threat
This year’s event, hosted by The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), marks the second consecutive year of honoring these front-line defenders.
But the story doesn’t stop with RM139 million. According to Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar, Chairman of the National Taskforce to Combat Fraud and Group CEO of Community Financial Services at Maybank, these individual efforts are part of a massive industry-wide wave of success.
“As personnel on the ground against financial crime, their swift actions have been instrumental in detecting suspicious activities and preventing losses,” he stated.
He went on to reveal the bigger picture: thanks to the synergy between vigilant staff and robust security measures, the industry saw a 46% increase in successfully blocked fraudulent transaction attempts in 2025 compared to the previous year. Nationwide, the total value of prevented fraudulent transactions rose to RM1.19 billion—a three-fold increase that highlights how serious the banking sector is about staying ahead of scammers.
The Tech Behind the Shield
Of course, the human heroes are backed by powerful technological advancements. The banking industry has rolled out several key initiatives that are making a tangible difference. Here is a snapshot of the current results:
- Money Vault / Money Lock Feature: Over 38,000 customers have utilized this feature, securing more than RM600 million in protected accounts.
- Malware Shielding: This capability has successfully prevented over 60,000 malware-related scam attempts, shielding approximately RM22 million in potential losses.
- Kill Switch Functions: Used by roughly 300,000 users, contributing to the prevention of close to RM7 million in potential losses.
- Self-Service Security: Many banks now allow customers to perform online “health checks” on their own accounts, providing an extra layer of awareness and control.
A Unified Front Against Scams
The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) also weighed in on the partnership. Commissioner of Police, Dato’ Rusdi bin Mohd Isa, Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Through close cooperation and information sharing, banks and law enforcement agencies have strengthened efforts to better protect the public against evolving scam threats.”
The Heroes Honored
On the day, 68 staff members from 14 banks were recognized for their bravery and dedication. The banks featured include a wide cross-section of the financial industry:
Agrobank, Alliance Bank, AmBank, Bank of China, Bank Islam, Bank Muamalat, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, Public Bank, RHB, and UOB.
Stay Safe, Stay Scam-Wise
The #JanganKenaScam campaign is more than just a tagline; it is a mission to raise fraud literacy across the nation. While these industry heroes are working hard to protect your finances, remember that you are the first line of defense.
Protect yourself:
- Stay Informed: The best defense is knowledge. Keep up with the latest scam tactics.
- Use the Tools: Don’t ignore features like Money Lock and Kill Switches—they are there for your safety.
- Be Skeptical: If an offer sounds too good to be true, or if you receive a suspicious call asking for personal information, always verify with your bank directly.
Let’s give a round of applause to these 68 bank heroes and the entire industry for making our digital banking experience safer.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information provided by The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the respective financial institutions.
