Silent Calls in Malaysia: Why They’re Increasing & What You Should Do When You Get One

By Suri • Cyber & Wealth – SaferDaily.my

Let’s be real — that moment when your phone rings from an unknown number, you answer… and it’s totally silent?It’s unsettling. You start thinking:

“Hello? Line problem? Wrong number? Or… something else?”

Well, it’s not “just you”. Silent calls are happening more often in Malaysia, and there’s a reason. In fact, CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) already warned that many of these calls are linked to scam syndicates.

So today, let me walk you through what’s actually going on, why this is becoming so common, and most importantly — what you should really do when it happens again.

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What Exactly Is a Silent Call?

A silent call is exactly what it sounds like:

• You answer

• No voice

• No breathing

• No background noise

• And after a few seconds… tut tut tut

CSM says these calls are often used by scammers as active number verification — their way of checking whether the number belongs to a real, responsive human being.

“But Suri… are all silent calls scams?”

Not necessarily.

Sometimes it’s just:

• Telemarketers’ autodial system glitching

• Call centres calling more numbers than the agents they have

• A pocket dial

• A network issue

But here’s the uncomfortable part:

As a user, you cannot tell which is which.

And scammers count on that.

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Why Silent Calls in Malaysia Are Increasing?

Okay, this part might surprise you a bit.

1️⃣ Malaysia had large-scale data leaks

Various cybersecurity reports show that more than 70% of Malaysian mobile numbers have been exposed or traded online.

Scammers are not “guessing” your number — they already have it.

2️⃣ Scam calls surged by over 80% in 2024

Malaysia recorded almost 3 million scam calls last year.

Silent calls are often used as the first step in that pipeline.

3️⃣ Scammers use professional autodial systems now

These systems:

• Blast out thousands of calls

• Detect who picks up

• Silence occurs when no agent/bot is free

• Mark your number as “active human answered”

Same tech as legit call centres, just… more evil.

4️⃣ Voice Scams & AI Tools Linked to Silent Calls in Malaysia

Globally, scammers are now trying to:

• Capture small voice samples (“Hello?” is enough)

• Learn your speech pattern

• Use AI-assisted scripts to impersonate voices

That’s why even a few seconds of response from you is useful to them.

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What Happens Behind the Scenes During a Silent Call?

Let me break it down simply — like how it works in the background:

Step 1 — System autodials your number

They don’t call manually. A machine pings you.

Step 2 — Silence = scanning phase

The system listens for:

• Human voice

• Background noise

• Language

• Whether you’re actively responding

Step 3 — Your number gets labelled

If you picked up, your number becomes:

“Active – picks up unknown calls”

This list might be:

• Kept by the same syndicate

• Sold to other scammers

• Used to plan targeted follow-up calls

Step 4 — Scam attempts begin

After a silent call, many Malaysians receive:

• Fake bank calls

• “Your account will be blocked” calls

• Fake police / LHDN / MCMC officers

• WhatsApp links

• Parcel delivery scams

• Fake job offers

• Investment scam messages

Silent call → Tag your number → Attack plan.

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Signs the Silent Call Is Suspicious

Here’s how to read the situation, Suri-style:

🚩 High-risk red flags

• Multiple silent calls from different numbers

• Very long or strange international numbers

• Hang up immediately after you say “Hello?”

• Silent call followed shortly by scam-like SMS/WhatsApp

• Calls at weird hours that make no sense

⚪ Low-risk signs (but don’t relax too much)

• You hear background chatter or a TV

• Caller calls back apologising

• Caller explains it was a mistake

Even then, better to be safe.

Suri’s golden rule:

If the call is important, they will talk. If they don’t talk, it’s not important.

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What You Should Do During a Silent Call

This is where your response really matters.

✔ Do this

• Hang up immediately

• Block the number

• Enable spam filters / Silence Unknown Callers

• Keep your voice response as short as possible

  
  

✘ Don’t do this

• Don’t keep repeating “Hello??”

• Don’t say your name

• Don’t call the number back

• Don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either

Remember: the more you talk, the more data the system collects.

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What To Do After a Silent Call

Depends on what happened.

If you simply answered and hung up

You’re okay.

Just stay alert for the next 1–2 days.

If you answered AND spoke more than a few words

Take small precautions:

• Monitor your banking apps

• Change your online banking password

• Avoid answering unknown numbers for a while

  
  

If you clicked a link or shared info after a follow-up scam

Please act fast:

1. Call your bank’s official hotline

2. Call NSRC 997 (Malaysia’s scam emergency line)

3. Freeze your accounts if advised

4. Report the number to CSM/MCMC

Scammers move quickly, so your response should too.

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How To Protect Yourself Long-Term

1️⃣ Use “Silence Unknown Callers” or call screening

A simple feature that blocks 90% of autodial calls.

2️⃣ Install trusted caller ID / scam filter apps

They already track many scam call patterns common in Malaysia.

3️⃣ Stop sharing your number everywhere

Most leaks happen through:

• Online sales posts

• Public profiles

• Random online forms

• Free giveaways / contests

4️⃣ Educate parents and relatives

Scammers love targeting:

• Elderly

• People working from home

• Anyone who sounds polite or trusting

Teach them one rule:

If an unknown number calls and it’s silent — hang up and block.

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FAQs About Silent Calls (Malaysia)

1. Why do I keep getting silent calls?

Because scammers are testing whether your number is active.

2. Are silent calls dangerous?

Not by themselves — but they’re often the first step in a scam attempt.

3. Should I answer silent calls?

No. If it's important, they’ll speak.

4. Can silent calls record my voice?

Some systems may capture small samples, but the main goal is number verification.

5. Should I call them back?

Never.

6. How do I stop silent calls?

Block, silence unknown callers, and reduce your number exposure online.

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Conclusion

Silent calls might feel harmless because “nobody said anything”, but in today’s scam landscape — they’re not random. They’re part of a deliberate strategy used by syndicates to identify active numbers and prepare their next move.

So the best habit is simple:

Unknown number + silence = Hang up. Block. Stay alert.

A small action like this can save you (and your wallet) a lot of trouble.

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🔗 Official References & Useful Links (Malaysia)

Trusted sources you can refer to for verified information on scam calls, fraud alerts, and cyber safety.

CyberSecurity Malaysia — Cyber Threat & Scam Advisories

Official updates, alerts, and awareness materials on nationwide cyber threats.➡️ https://www.cybersecurity.my

MCMC — Online Safety & Fraud Awareness

Guides, warnings, and consumer protection information related to phone scams and digital fraud.➡️ https://www.mcmc.gov.my

Bank Negara Malaysia — Financial Fraud Alerts

Current alerts on banking scams, financial fraud tactics, and safe banking practices.➡️ https://www.bnm.gov.my/scam-alerts

National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) — Hotline 997

Malaysia’s emergency hotline for scam cases. Call immediately if you suspect financial fraud.➡️ https://nfcc.jpm.gov.my/index.php/en/about-nsrc (or the latest NSRC reference page provided by PDRM/BNM)