KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): Malaysia saw a drastic increase of online scams over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) commercial crimes investigation department (CCID), a total of 71,833 scams, amounting to more than RM5.2 billion losses, was reported from 2020 until May 2022.
From the total amount of scams, 48,850 or 68% were online scams, where 26,213 cases were prosecuted in court. 5,851 e-commerce scam cases was recorded in 2020 followed by 9,569 cases last year. Up to May this year, 3,833 cases were recorded.
The other types of scams include job scams (350 cases) and loan and investment scams (11,875 cases).
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) secretary general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof shared that the ministry received 12,348 scam complaints as of June 30, 2022, where 4,114 of them involved online scam transactions.
The ministry also received 24,018 complaints regarding online fraud and electronic media scams during the pandemic from 2020 to Feb 17 this year, involving losses amounting to RM21.7 million.
“Most scams happen due to lack of comprehension and awareness on cybersecurity. This has become one of the main factors of cybercrime.”
“Constant advocacy and consumer awareness programmes are important to avoid the public from being scammed. I would also like to encourage the public to come forward and report [scams] so that appropriate action can be taken and avoid similar cases…
