AMLA Scam using Maybank name : How Fraudsters Exploit Bank Anti Money Laundering department to Trick Victims

If you suddenly receive a call from someone claiming to be a Maybank officer from the AMLA (Anti Money Laundering) department, it’s a scam. No exceptions.

The AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering and Anti Terrorism Financing) department is responsible for monitoring transactions and customer activity to detect and prevent financial crimes. It ensures the bank complies with local and international regulations and reports suspicious activities to the authorities.

Unfortunately, scammers are now abusing this department’s name to trick unsuspecting victims.This happened to me during a hectic workday. I got a call from someone claiming to be a bank officer from Maybank’s AMLA unit. The caller spoke in a rushed and aggressive tone, trying to make it seem like I had done something wrong. 

They knew my full name and IC number, which made the situation feel more real. But when I asked them to send me an official email, they said they don’t use email. That was the first red flag. Then I realized this “officer” sounded more like a teenager than a professional.

When I kept insisting on written communication, the caller abruptly ended the call. I tried calling the number back, but it was unreachable. It was clearly a spoofed or non existent line.

After looking it up online, I found that this scam is rampant in 2025. It mainly targets Malaysians who currently have loans car loans, home loans, or personal loans. Scammers are using the Maybank name because, as Malaysia's largest bank, there's a high likelihood their target has an account with them.

Stay alert. Always demand proper verification. No real bank officer will pressure or rush you like that.