KUCHING: Fewer commercial crime cases were reported in Sarawak for the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year, but there was an increase in total losses.
Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri (pic) said that during the first six months of this year, a total of 1,278 cases were reported involving losses amounting to RM36mil, compared to last year’s 1,451 cases and RM30.5mil in losses during the same period.
"Fraud cases through the internet, impersonation, job offers and Macau scam syndicates are among the most commercial crimes reported this year,” he told a media conference after the Sarawak Police monthly assembly here Monday (July 18).
He said the fraud through the internet recorded the highest number of commercial crime victims, with 236 cases involving losses of RM1.3mil, followed by 128 impersonation cases with losses of RM3.6mil and 119 fake job offers involving losses of RM1.5mil.
"From Jan 1 to June 30 this year, a total of 118 Macau scam cases were recorded with RM8mil in losses while 117 non-existent loans with RM1.4mil in losses were also reported,” he said.
To avoid being a victim of commercial crime, Comm Azman urged members of the public to always be vigilant and careful in accessing any websites by not disclosing personal information to unknown individuals.
"Hang up immediately if you receive any calls about money or banking information,” he said.
Overall, he said, the state’s crime index statistics had dropped by 447 cases, or 19%, compared to last year for the period from Jan 1 to June 30. - Bernama
