Structural Modeling of Determinant Factors Influencing Online Scam Victimization in Malaysia: A DEMATEL Approach

Abstract

The rise of online scam victimization in Malaysia presents a growing socio-economic concern, intensified by increasing digitalization and widespread use of online platforms. Existing literature often focuses on individual factors such as digital literacy, financial knowledge, and psychological susceptibility separately, resulting in limited insight into their interconnected effects. This study addresses this limitation by applying the DEMATEL approach to examine the causal structure among key determinants of scam victimization. Data from a multidisciplinary expert panel were used to evaluate four main factors: low digital literacy, low financial literacy, psychological and emotional influences, and the role of social media and digital platforms. The results show that social media and digital platforms function as the primary driving force within the system, influencing all other factors both directly and indirectly. In contrast, the remaining factors are classified as outcomes shaped by the digital environment rather than independent causes. These findings reposition online scam victimization as a systemic issue rooted in platform dynamics rather than individual weakness alone. The study contributes methodologically through the application of DEMATEL and offers practical insights for policymakers to develop more comprehensive, platform-aware, and targeted prevention strategies.