Don't let scammers steal your light, says Bank Negara this Deepavali

This Deepavali, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has taken a creative turn to educate Malaysians about financial scams with its new festive campaign, “Naan Oru Scammer” (“I am a scammer”). The campaign uses humour, drama, and a healthy dose of festive flair to show how easily people can fall for scams, and what to do if it happens.

The campaign reminds Malaysians that not every sparkle tells a true story. Some glimmer with too-good-to-be-true promises. “This Deepavali, don’t let scams dim your joy,” the campaign message reads. “True celebration isn’t about what glitters, but what’s genuine. Choose honesty, love, and good company over empty promises.” In a tongue-in-cheek twist, the campaign urges viewers to “embrace their inner Amma”, by staying sharp, protective, and no-nonsense when faced with suspicious financial offers.

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The campaign film is shot like a classic gangster movie scene. Three men sit around a table piled with Deepavali sweets, each boasting about the scams they’ve pulled off. The first proudly recounts tricking Auntie Kala with his fake “Deepavali Lakshmi Gold Plan”, promising RM3,000 returns from a RM300 investment in just three days. The next one tries to top him, bragging about convincing an elderly man from Taiping to sell his goats to fund a bogus crypto scheme. The third, self-proclaimed “investment guru”, boasts about scamming 325 people through a WhatsApp “investment group”.

Their gloating is cut short when three fierce ‘Ammas’, likely their mother, aunt, and grandmother, show up. Armed with a huge slipper, an ear pinch, and a lidi broom, they deliver justice the traditional Indian way.

The chastened scammers then break the fourth wall, turning directly to the audience with an important reminder: check official sources before investing, call your bank or the National Scam Response Centre for verification, and lodge a police report if you’ve been scammed. The tips are simple, practical, and cleverly wrapped in humour, making the message easy to remember.

The short film features actors James Devan Arokisamy, Sharmini Ramesh, and Ajay Sarvess, and is available on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

BNM isn’t the only financial body using the festive season to push anti-scam awareness. Jangan Kena Scam (Don't Get Scammed) a joint initiative by Malaysian banks under the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), supported by BNM — also launched a festive Tamil song encouraging vigilance through catchy music, lyrics, and dance. Both campaigns bear a similar message for Deepavali: celebrate with joy, but stay alert to scams that could turn your festivities sour.

Brands this year have gone above and beyond with their Deepavali campaigns. A+M's roundup this year, featured the likes of Ambank Group, which captured the spirit of the festival through dance and narration in a one-minute film featuring local artist Kamini Manikam performing Bharathanatyam. Meanwhile, CelcomDigi shined a light on the unsung heroes of Deepavali in its heartfelt 2025 film, "Nam Thadam, heroes of heritage" Maybank’s “Light of laughter” took a fresh, light-hearted approach to Deepavali, and Petronas' "Taste of love" delivered warmth and relatability, with viewers lauding the director for crafting a heartwarming story that resonates deeply with Malaysian audiences.

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