ANWAR CALLS FOR GREATER NSRC AWARENESS, URGES PUBLIC TO CALL 997 – FAHMI

PUTRAJAYA, March 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for sustained public awareness campaigns on the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) and the need for swift action by scam victims, said MADANI Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He said Anwar raised the matter during today's Cabinet meeting following his visit to the NSRC at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in Cyberjaya, yesterday.

Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said that after reviewing NSRC’s system to track money flow from scam victims' accounts through multiple layers of mule accounts, Anwar urged for intensified public awareness campaigns on the centre's functions.

"There are several matters that need follow-through to enhance awareness among Malaysians regarding NSRC. First, the centre itself, and how we can ensure that if we become victims, swift action can be taken to recover stolen money," he said at a post-Cabinet press conference here today.

Fahmi said the Home Affairs Minister also shared two scam-related cases, highlighting the importance of making immediate reports to NSRC.

In the first case, Fahmi said an individual lost over RM800,000 from RM1 million in savings after funds were transferred in stages through mule accounts. However, the report to NSRC was only made about eight hours later.

"The report came in around 10 pm, even though the loss began around 2 pm. As a result, NSRC could only recover about RM170,000 of the stolen amount," he said.

In a separate case, however, nearly all of the victim's money was saved after they contacted NSRC immediately upon noticing suspicious transactions.

Meanwhile, Fahmi urged the media to help publicise NSRC's existence so that scam victims can act swiftly by calling the 997 hotline.

He said that following NSRC's operational restructuring, victims no longer need to file a separate police report, as police officers stationed at the centre are ready to receive calls and assist with reporting.

Fahmi said NSRC also collaborates with multiple agencies, including representatives from commercial banks and telecommunications companies, to ensure the immediate freezing of accounts and tracking of fund flows.

"This is certainly an effort that will help save more of the people's money," he said.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister emphasised that public awareness is the primary defence in combating the rising tide of online scams.

Operating around the clock, seven days a week, NSRC demonstrates the MADANI Government's sustained commitment to combating cybercrime, with the centre now fully established as a national response hub.

-- BERNAMA