BILLIONS of ringgit in losses have been incurred by Malaysians through scams.
With syndicates continuing to exploit trust, fear and human behaviour, experts stress that public education and awareness are more important than ever.
British Graduates Association Malaysia (BGAM) president Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali, citing statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police, said Malaysia recorded more than 66,000 online scam cases in 2025, involving losses of approximately RM2.97bil.
“These figures remind us that scams are no longer isolated incidents. They have become a serious national challenge affecting individuals, families and businesses across the country. Combating this threat requires collective responsibility, where every informed citizen becomes another line of defence against scammers,” he said.
He also noted that scam syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated, using digital platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) and social engineering to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Kamarudin said this during his opening remarks at the BGAM Lecture Series: Scam Awareness 2.0 – Action & Prevention, held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 8.
The event, organised by the association in collaboration with HELP University and The Hainan Professional & Graduate Team Malaysia (HPGTM), brought together government leaders, law enforcement experts, cybersecurity professionals, industry practitioners, academics and members of the public to address the growing threat of scams and cyber-enabled crimes in Malaysia.
Delivering his welcome remarks, HELP University chief integrity officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar, who is also the director and professorial chair of the varsity’s Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said universities play a vital role in preparing students, staff and the community by strengthening digital literacy, promoting ethical decision-making, and raising awareness of common scam tactics.
Combating scams requires more than technological solutions, he emphasised, adding that it demands integrity, critical thinking, public awareness and collective responsibility.
“Scammers don’t hack computers; they hack human psychology. Whether it is corruption or scams, the crime begins when integrity ends,” he said.
Prof Akhbar, who is a member of the board of directors of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity and the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, added that universities must also produce graduates who understand the evolving nature of crime and are equipped to contribute to prevention, policymaking and criminal justice.
Asia e University chancellor Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar, who officiated at the event, said combating scams cannot rest on enforcement alone.
“It requires a whole-of-society approach. Education remains one of the most effective forms of prevention because an informed society is far more resilient than one that relies solely on enforcement after a crime has already occurred,” he said in his official address.
Syed Hamid, who is also the first chairman of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), added that scams today are no longer merely financial crimes but have become a broader challenge affecting public trust, social well-being and confidence in the nation’s digital ecosystem.
In his keynote address, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department former director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf highlighted that South-East Asia has become the global epicentre of commercial crime, with regional scam losses in 2025 estimated at between US$88bil (RM360bil) and US$114bil (RM466bil).
He noted that organised scam compounds across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines are estimated to generate approximately US$40bil (RM163bil) annually, increasingly driven by AI-generated deepfakes, cryptocurrency laundering and trafficked labour from more than 80 countries.
He advocated for stronger collaboration, technological innovation and sustained public awareness, pointing out that scam syndicates continue to evolve rapidly even as Malaysia has strengthened its response through the Cyber Security Act 2024, enhanced compliance with the Financial Action Task Force standards and closer inter-agency coordination through the National Scam Response Centre.
The lecture series also featured a forum discussion moderated by Malaysian Press Institute president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, with MCPF exco member Eugene Teow and Malaysia Anti-Scam Community Organisation consultant Rahmat Fitri Abdullah as panellists.
The forum provided insights into emerging scam trends, commercial crime investigations, cybersecurity, digital trust, media literacy, and practical strategies to help individuals and organisations better protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated scams.
