RISE IN ONLINE FRAUD CASES, OVER RM1.9 BILLION IN LOSSES AS OF SEPTEMBER - SHAMSUL ANUAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The rising trend of online fraud or scam cases in the country is increasingly worrying, with 47,854 cases involving total losses of RM1.919 billion recorded as of last September, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

He said, according to statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) through the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), the number of scam cases had increased by 12,486 compared with 35,368 cases in 2024, which involved losses amounting to RM1.574 billion.

“This illustrates the significant number of victims involved, and in light of this situation, the government remains committed to implementing various measures, including stricter law enforcement, to address this crime,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

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He said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who wanted to know the firm actions being taken by the government to combat the growing trend of online fraud cases.

He added that the government has amended the Penal Code to strengthen enforcement against cybercrime, particularly the use of mule accounts, with new provisions under Sections 424A to 424D empowering the PDRM to investigate and prosecute those involved.

The government has also amended the Criminal Procedure Code, introducing a new provision that allows the police to seize bank accounts or financial instruments suspected of being used for criminal activities, thereby preventing stolen funds from being transferred to criminals.

He also said that the government is in the process of drafting a new bill on cybercrime to further strengthen the country’s legal framework in addressing the growing complexity of cyber threats.

-- BERNAMA