CCID in talks to bring Bank Negara and MCMC on board its scam response centre

KUALA LUMPUR: The police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Scam Response Centre is set to include Bank Negara Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Bukit Aman CCID director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din (pic) said talks are ongoing so that the public can have access to officers from all three at a one-stop centre soon.

"We aim to enhance cooperation with MCMC and Bank Negara to effectively prevent and curb scams and online fraud.

"We expect both of them to be included at the centre by June," he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Thursday (March 24).

The one-stop centre will enable faster follow-ups on cases, he said.

"Our main objective is to help the public become more vigilant, as well as inform them on action that should be taken after falling victim to scams.

"We hope the public can utilise the CCID Scam Response Centre more," he added.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin said the centre was established on Feb 15 last year and operates from 8am to 10pm daily.

"Since its inception, the centre has received 2,399 calls.

"From this number, 1,530 calls or 63.4% involved those asking about the modus operandi for Macau Scams, love scams, loan scams, investment scams and ah long (loan sharks).

"Some 1,430 callers were victims of commercial crime while the remaining 969 were those who had not yet fallen victim," he said.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin hoped that the public would save the response centre number, 03-26101599 / 1559, for easy reference in case they are targeted by scammers.

"Both numbers should be kept by the public in case they receive suspicious calls or become victims.

"Our officers are ready to assist victims and also prevent targeted victims from being scammed.

"For traumatised victims who call the centre, we will even send officers to their homes to help," he added.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin urged the public to fully utilise the centre as the number of scam cases and losses sustained are on the rise.

"Lately, even bank officers are being duped by scammers. The (average loss) is between RM600,000 and RM800,000.

"Nowadays, even those with knowledge of finance and banking become victims," he said.