Over 14,000 online scam cases, online purchases record most number, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 14,140 online scam cases which resulted in RM482mil in losses were recorded between January and August, says Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

The Inspector-General of Police said it showed a reduction of 6,561 cases compared with 20,701 cases with RM560 in losses during the same period last year.

"Online purchases recorded the most number of scams with 6,449 cases this year with RM89mil in losses compared with 9,499 cases (RM73mil) last year.

"A total of 2,191 loan scams were recorded this year involving RM25mil in losses compared with 4,784 cases last year," he told a press conference after attending the ceremony in the appointment of anti-scam ambassadors at the Police Training College on Tuesday (Sept 13).

The IGP said a total of 2,379 investment scams were recorded with RM151mil in losses this year compared with 3,195 cases (RM245mi) during the same period last year.

"For Macau scams, 2,439 cases were recorded involving RM147mil in losses compared with 1,585 cases (RM84mil) last year.

"A total of 549 African scam cases were recorded this year with RM39mil in losses while 1,460 cases (RM56mil) were recorded last year," he said.

Scams through text messaging or SMS recorded 101 cases involving RM1.3mil in losses this year compared with 121 cases (RM1.7mil) last year, he said.

"For email scams, we recorded 32 cases with RM28mil in losses this year compared with 57 cases (RM49mil) last year," he added.