‘Almost RM600mil lost to cybercrime in 2022’

KUALA NERUS: Almost RM600mil in losses were recorded throughout 2022 as a result of cybercrime in the country, says Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching.

She said as data showed that the problem of cybercrime in this country was quite serious, the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) would focus on educating the public to become more IT-literate and not become victims.

She added that one of the steps that would be implemented was working with social media platform providers such as TikTok to promote the “Stop for Three Seconds” programme that would be launched next month.

“The ‘three seconds’ here are to help the community consider whether any information received is authentic or not,” she said when met by Bernama after presenting a donation for flood victims at Taman Desa Tanjung Damai in Gong Badak, near here, yesterday.

Teo also said that social media platform providers would also help promote the National Scam Response Centre’s (NSRC) 997 hotline.

She said that the 997 hotline, which is still little known by the community, was a government initiative to help victims of cybercrime prevent losses.

“Thus far, the 997 hotline is operating 12 hours daily and is a one-stop centre comprising representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, banks, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the police, who will do their best to immediately stop the flow of victims’ money.

“KKD wants to help the victims because we know if we don’t act quick enough, victims won’t be able to get their money back, even if the culprits are eventually caught,” she said.

In another development, Teo said all 471 telecommunications towers nationwide that were affected by last December’s floods have been repaired and are now working normally.

Earlier, Teo delivered donations in the form of basic necessities to 1,000 residents in Taman Desa Tanjung Damai and 24 KKD staff members who were affected by the recent floods.

She said the donation was made by the ministry’s staff members and partners, such as telecommunication companies through the ministry’s disaster relief funds.