Average of 15 investment scams probed every day, says CCID chief

KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM350mil has been lost to investment scams this year with an average of 15 cases investigated daily, says Bukit Aman.

Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said a total of 4,435 investment scam cases were reported from January to October.

"It represents 20% of the total commercial cases this year. The amount of losses from investment scams reached RM364.5mil," he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Monday (Nov 20).

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The number of investment scams this year saw an increase of 1,577 cases or 54.1% over the same period last year while the total losses showed a spike of 93.6%, he said.

"A total of 540 cases have been prosecuted so far. The majority of investment scams were conducted online via social media platforms," he added.

The victim profile showed that most of those targeted by scam syndicates this year were in the 31 to 40 age bracket, he said.

"A total of 1,099 victims are from this age group, followed by those 41 to 50 (953 victims), 21 to 30 (835), 51 to 60 (815), over 60 (609) and 15 to 20 (124)," he explained.

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In terms of occupation, Comm Ramli said private sector employees made up the highest number of victims with 1,880, followed by civil servants (298), housewives (762) and retirees (514).

Comm Ramli said investment scams have become more prevalent this year.

"While authorities are playing their part, I urge the public to play theirs as well.

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"Be vigilant and wary of any investment offers, especially those promising high and fast returns. Verify any investment opportunity with the relevant authorities.

"If an investment offer is too good to be true, take it with a 'giant' grain of salt," he advised.