KUALA LUMPUR: Instances of e-commerce fraud have increased as more people turn to online shopping during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Bukit Aman.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) deputy director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said 3,514 cases of e-commerce fraud were recorded in 2019.
"Last year (2020), however, the number of cases increased by 66% to 5,847.
"In the first three months of 2021, we have already recorded 2,132 cases," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 7).
He said a recent report was about a cheating case involving the sale of a cellphone number.
"The scammer allegedly offered to sell a special phone number (010-989 9999) via Facebook.
He said the victim contacted the seller and made payment but the seller disappeared after receiving the money.
Comm Mohd Kamarudin said they have classified the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
"We urge the public to always be cautious when making any transaction online.
"Don't fall for cheap offers that cannot be verified – always check its authenticity and ensure that sale and purchase is done via a certified process.
"The public can also verify accounts of sellers via https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule," he said, adding that any web address previously involved in cheating cases are listed there.
