KUALA LUMPUR — Google will require verification for advertisers promoting financial products and services in Malaysia beginning April 14, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen protection against financial scams.
In a statement, the company said the new Financial Services Verification (FSV) requirement will ensure that only legitimate and licensed financial service providers are allowed to run advertisements targeting Malaysian users on Google platforms.
Applications for verification can be submitted through Google’s compliance partner, G2, starting immediately.
Under the process, advertisers must prove they are authorised by relevant Malaysian regulators, including Bank Negara Malaysia, Securities Commission Malaysia and Labuan Financial Services Authority, before their ads can be displayed.
Google said the move is aimed at curbing rising financial fraud in the country. Data from the Ministry of Home Affairs Malaysia shows that Malaysians lost about RM2.77 billion to financial scams in 2025 alone.
Ben King said scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, making stronger safeguards necessary to ensure that only authorised financial providers can reach users through Google’s advertising platforms.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali said the initiative represents an important step in preventing financial scam advertisements from reaching Malaysians.
–BERNAMA
