KULAI: More than RM1.34bil was lost to scams last year according to reports received by the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), says Teo Nie Ching.
The Deputy Communications Minister said this was a considerable increase from the RM804mil losses recorded in 2022.
"These figures are based on reports lodged to NSRC through the 997 hotline from January to Dec 8.
"The... losses (stem) from various types of scams, such as telecommunications scams at RM334mil, financial fraud at RM104mil, love scams at RM41mil, ecommerce scams at RM383mil, fake loans at RM39mil and fake investments at RM437mil," she said here on Sunday (Jan 28).
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"The (losses to investment scams) last year more than doubled from RM209mil in 2022 to RM437mil last year," she told reporters after a Chinese New Year food aid and red packet presentation programme at Taman Desa Kulai here.
She advised potential investors to check on companies' background with the Securities Commission.
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On the programme, the Kulai MP said she was planning to distribute red packets with artwork by special needs students of SMK Kulai Besar.
"These drawings were made by Soo Hui Ting, 11, and Chai Jain Sheng, 18, and I want to highlight their talent, as well as that of other children with special needs, in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebration," she added.
