Business · Malaysia Bureau
Matrade warns of fraudsters impersonating trade agency officials
Malaysia's trade development authority has issued an urgent alert to businesses about scammers posing as Matrade officers to extract upfront payments. The corporation is urging companies to verify the authenticity of any officials claiming to represent the agency.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has cautioned the business community against fraudsters impersonating its staff members to solicit advance fees from unsuspecting entrepreneurs. The warning comes as scam attempts targeting export-oriented businesses have increased in recent months.
Matrade said the impostors typically contact businesses by phone or email, claiming to offer export promotion services, trade financing assistance, or participation in international trade missions. They then request upfront payments under various pretexts, including registration fees, administrative charges, or documentation costs.
The corporation emphasised that it does not demand advance payments from businesses for its services and trade facilitation programmes. All legitimate Matrade officers can be verified through the agency's official contact channels and databases.
Businesses encountering suspicious requests claiming to be from Matrade are advised to contact the corporation directly through its official telephone lines and website before making any payments. The alert underscores the importance of due diligence when dealing with unsolicited business propositions, particularly those requiring immediate financial commitments.