Fraud Warning

1. About This Warning

Phoenix Investment Bank (Labuan) Ltd. ("Phoenix" or "PIBL") is committed to protecting its clients, counterparties, and the general public from financial fraud, identity theft, and impersonation scams. This Fraud Warning sets out how to identify genuine communications from Phoenix, how to recognize common fraud tactics, and what to do if you suspect fraudulent activity.

2. Official Phoenix Communication Channels

Phoenix’s verified official communications channels are listed below. While we primarily use these channels, any unexpected communications purporting to be from Phoenix especially those originating from unverified platforms should be treated with extreme caution and verified independently using the contact details below:

3. Common Fraud Tactics — What to Watch Out For

3.1 Advance Fee Fraud and Legitimate Fees

Fraudsters posing as financial institutions may contact you claiming that you are entitled to funds, a loan, or a financial instrument, but require an upfront "processing fee" or "tax" to a personal or third-party account to release the funds. These are fraudulent solicitations.

Please note that while Phoenix may charge legitimate application, arrangement, advisory, or transaction fees, these legitimate fees will strictly follow a written engagement, be fully disclosed in official documentation, and must only be paid directly to a verified Phoenix corporate bank account.

3.2 Impersonation of Phoenix Staff

Criminals may contact you by telephone, email, or social media, claiming to be employees, officers, or representatives of Phoenix — including using fabricated staff names, titles, or reference numbers. Always verify any such communication through Phoenix's official contact channels before taking any action.

3.3 Fake Financial Instruments

Some fraudsters claim to be able to provide, monetize, or lease financial instruments (such as Letters of Credit, Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, or Medium-Term Notes) issued by or through Phoenix. Phoenix issues trade finance and financial instruments only through formal documented engagement processes with verified institutional clients. Phoenix does not operate through informal or cold-contact channels.

3.4 Unsolicited Investment Offers

Be extremely cautious of unsolicited approaches offering high-yield investment returns, guaranteed profits, or exclusive investment products associated with Phoenix's name. Phoenix does not solicit clients through cold calls, unsolicited emails, social media messages, or third-party agents operating without formal authorization.

3.5 Phishing and Clone Websites

Fraudulent websites or emails may be designed to closely resemble Phoenix's official branding, logo, and communication style. Always verify that you are communicating through Phoenix's official email domain (@thephoenixbank.com) and official website at www.thephoenixbank.com. Be wary of slight variations in spelling or domain names (e.g. "thephoenixbanks.com" or "phoenix-bank.com").

3.6 Request for Confidential Information

Phoenix will never ask you to provide your passwords, PIN numbers, full credit card details, or one-time passwords (OTPs) via email or telephone. If you receive such a request, do not comply and report it immediately.

4. Red Flags — Do Not Proceed If:

• You are asked to pay any fee upfront to receive funds or activate a financial product;
• The communication comes from a non-official email address or phone number;
• You are pressured to act urgently or confidentially without time to verify;
• The offer involves guaranteed returns or risk-free investments;
• The counterparty refuses to provide verifiable official credentials;
• You are asked to transfer funds to a personal bank account rather than a verified corporate account.

5. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

If you believe you have been targeted by a scam or have received a suspicious communication claiming to be from Phoenix, take the following steps immediately:

• Do NOT transfer any funds, click on suspicious links, or provide personal information.
• Contact your banks: Immediately notify both the bank you sent the funds from and the receiving bank to attempt to halt the transaction.
• Call the authorities: In Malaysia, immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.
• Make police report: File a formal report with your local police or financial crimes authority.
• Preserve evidence: Keep records of all messages, emails, payment receipts, and the fraudster's account details.
• Notify Phoenix: Contact us via our official channels to verify the communication and report the impersonation.

Fraud Recovery Scams & Unsolicited Calls

Be highly suspicious of individuals or agencies claiming they can help you recover funds lost to a scam for an upfront fee. These are often secondary scams known as "recovery scams."

6. Phoenix's Commitment

Phoenix takes fraud and financial crime extremely seriously. We cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, and competent authorities in the investigation of fraud involving Phoenix's name, brand, or identity. If you become aware of any party fraudulently using Phoenix's name or impersonating Phoenix, please report it to us immediately so that we can take appropriate action.