Over 60% spike in commercial crime losses so far this year, says CCID director

KUALA LUMPUR: The amount of losses from commercial crimes rose some 62.1% to RM866.2mil between Jan 1 and April 28 over the year before.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said total losses came to RM534.3mil for the same period last year.

ALSO READ: Investment scam losses cannot be recouped, says Bukit Aman

"However, a total of 10,106 cases were recorded this year compared to 10,931 last year.

"It is a reduction of 8.2%," he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Friday (May 3).

The number of cases prosecuted also increased over last year, he said.

"This year, 4,880 investigation papers (IP) were successfully prosecuted, which is 48% of the total IPs.

ALSO READ: They loved and lost, to online scammers

"It is an improvement from 4,598 IPs prosecuted or 42% last year," he said.

On another matter, Comm Ramli said many people were still unaware of the CCID's SemakMule portal.

ALSO READ: Love scam cases involving men largely go unreported (Poll Inside)

"It was established so that the public can check bank accounts of individuals and companies that are involved in scam activities.

"The result of the search can help (someone know) whether to proceed with a transaction or not," he said.

Comm Ramli said the portal lists 198,125 bank accounts belonging to individuals and 315 company accounts.

"Some 97,986 arrests have been made and some have been prosecuted," he said of the accounts listed.

Comm Ramli urged the public to make full use of the portal so that it will be an effective mechanism to prevent commercial crimes.