Most victims of online scams are women, says Bukit Aman department head

MELAKA: Most victims of online scams are women, says Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob.

He said that 55% of the victims were women above the age of 51, adding that most fell into the trap when scammers threatened to confiscate their properties under Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Comm Zainuddin said this after a ceremony between outgoing Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mat Kasim Karim and new Melaka top cop Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd Ali at Melaka police headquarters here on Monday (Nov 16)

Comm Zainuddin said some 5,218 online scams were reported between January and October this year, adding that over RM265mil was lost and 2,676 arrests were made.

He said there were 5,725 reports in 2019 involving losses amounting to RM254mil while 4,965 cases were reported in 2018 with losses totalling RM226mil.

"In 2018,2, 233 arrests were made with 705 cases were prosecuted while 1804 arrests and 994 prosecutions were conducted in 2019," he added.