Sometimes, these criminals act like bank staff, government officers, tech support, or even a family member in trouble. Their goal is simple: to trick you into giving them money, your personal info, or control of your phone or computer.
These callers sound very professional and polite, but they try to scare you. They might say there is a "security problem," a "fine you didn't pay," or a "legal threat." They create a sense of emergency so you feel you have to act right now without telling anyone else.
If you hear an authoritative voice, a rush to act, and a request for secrecy. It’s likely a scam!
These callers sound very professional and polite, but they try to scare you. They might say there is a "security problem," a "fine you didn't pay," or a "legal threat." They create a sense of emergency so you feel you have to act right now without telling anyone else.
If you hear an authoritative voice, a rush to act, and a request for secrecy. It’s likely a scam!
1. The “Safety Deposit” Trap: From Robocall to “Regulator”
At 68, Mr. Lim was enjoying his morning coffee when his phone rang. It was a robocall about a suspicious credit card transaction. When Mr. Lim pressed ‘0’ to investigate, he was connected to a “bank officer” who claimed his identity had been stolen to commit fraud.
The call was quickly transferred to a "police officer." He claimed Mr. Lim was an accomplice in a money laundering and drug trafficking case involving Interpol. To prove he wasn't a criminal, he was told he must have his funds "verified" by Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB).A fake BDCB official then took over, demanding a security deposit to ensure Mr. Lim’s cooperation with the court. They promised the money would be fully refunded once his name was cleared.
"They knew my account balances and sounded so official," Mr. Lim said. "I withdrew my savings and handed the cash to a 'BDCB courier' for a 'financial inspection,' truly believing it was for a legal security deposit."
The lesson? Government agencies will never ask you to withdraw cash for "safekeeping" or send a courier to your home. If a caller creates a "fake emergency," hang up and call the bank yourself.
2. “I was terrified of being arrested” — The Fake Government Official
Ms. Siti, a small business owner, was caught off guard by a call from a "Customs Officer". They told her she was facing criminal charges for an undeclared shipment. The caller was cold and authoritative, telling her that if she didn't pay a "security bond" of B$4,500 immediately, she would be arrested.
They told her to keep the matter a secret to avoid "public embarrassment" and to protect her business’s reputation.
"I was so scared of losing my business and going to jail," Ms. Siti shared. "I transferred the money just to make the problem go away. But a few days later, they called back demanding even more 'fees'. That’s when I realised the 'officer' wasn’t real."
The lesson? Government agencies don't threaten arrest over the phone to demand private bank transfers. Fear is a scammer’s favourite tool. Don’t let it stop you from checking the facts.
They told her to keep the matter a secret to avoid "public embarrassment" and to protect her business’s reputation.
"I was so scared of losing my business and going to jail," Ms. Siti shared. "I transferred the money just to make the problem go away. But a few days later, they called back demanding even more 'fees'. That’s when I realised the 'officer' wasn’t real."
The lesson? Government agencies don't threaten arrest over the phone to demand private bank transfers. Fear is a scammer’s favourite tool. Don’t let it stop you from checking the facts.
3. “They spoke our language, so we trusted them” — The Tech Support Trap
Ms. Siti, a small business owner, was caught off guard by a call from a "Customs Officer". They told her she was facing criminal charges for an undeclared shipment. The caller was cold and authoritative, telling her that if she didn't pay a "security bond" of B$4,500 immediately, she would be arrested.
They told her to keep the matter a secret to avoid "public embarrassment" and to protect her business’s reputation.
"I was so scared of losing my business and going to jail," Ms. Siti shared. "I transferred the money just to make the problem go away. But a few days later, they called back demanding even more 'fees'. That’s when I realised the 'officer' wasn’t real."
The lesson? Government agencies don't threaten arrest over the phone to demand private bank transfers. Fear is a scammer’s favourite tool. Don’t let it stop you from checking the facts.
They told her to keep the matter a secret to avoid "public embarrassment" and to protect her business’s reputation.
"I was so scared of losing my business and going to jail," Ms. Siti shared. "I transferred the money just to make the problem go away. But a few days later, they called back demanding even more 'fees'. That’s when I realised the 'officer' wasn’t real."
The lesson? Government agencies don't threaten arrest over the phone to demand private bank transfers. Fear is a scammer’s favourite tool. Don’t let it stop you from checking the facts.
Scammers want to stop you from thinking clearly. They do this by making you feel scared, rushed, or like you’re the only person who can solve a "major problem." If a caller does any of the following, it is a scam:
- Pressure: They demand you act right now.
- Secrecy: They tell you not to tell your family, the police, or bank staff.
- Familiarity: They speak in your local dialect or use personal info to make you feel like they "know" you.
- Strange Requests: They ask for your PIN, tell you to move money to a "safe" account, or ask you to download an app to "fix" your phone.
Saving your hard-earned money starts with one simple thing: pausing. No matter how scary or important a caller sounds, you always have the right to hang up.
Remember: It’s better to be safe and "rude" by hanging up than to lose control of your money.
If you’re a Baiduri Bank customer and has fallen victim to a scam, contact our 24-hour Customer Helpline at 2449666 and call the Royal Brunei Police Force’s Anti-Scam Centre at 16993 right away for immediate guidance, and confirmation before making a police report.
- Stop: Take a deep breath. If someone is rushing you, they are likely trying to trick you.
- Think: Does this sound right? A real bank or government office will never ask you to withdraw cash, share passwords, or install secret software.
- Check: Hang up the phone. Call our 24-hour hotline yourself at 244 9666 to find out the truth.
Remember: It’s better to be safe and "rude" by hanging up than to lose control of your money.
If you’re a Baiduri Bank customer and has fallen victim to a scam, contact our 24-hour Customer Helpline at 2449666 and call the Royal Brunei Police Force’s Anti-Scam Centre at 16993 right away for immediate guidance, and confirmation before making a police report.
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