Photo: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The amount of losses from commercial crime cases, including online scams, has hit RM1.2bil, says Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf (pic).
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director said the figure, recorded as of July 7, jumped nearly two-fold compared to the same period last year with RM660,886 in losses.
He said the losses were from the 15,500 commercial crime cases filed, an increase of 34% (or 3,954) compared to the same period last year.
Although the department faced challenges due to the rise in cases and losses, Comm Ramli said the issue was handled decisively, resulting in the successful prosecution of 5,559 investigation papers (IPs) this year.
“It is an increase compared to the 2,218 IPs prosecuted last year,” he said yesterday.
Comm Ramli said that the rise in commercial crime cases demands the commitment of everyone, including society, especially in the area of prevention.“We hope all segments of society stay alert and take part in efforts to prevent commercial crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, Comm Ramli revealed that a 60-year-old company director was defrauded of RM1.25mil in a love scam.
He said the female victim lodged a police report on June 28.
“She befriended a man, who claimed to be a Singaporean working in the United Kingdom, on Facebook.
“He said he was coming to Malaysia to get a project and will meet her,” he said.
The man then asked the victim to lend him some money as capital to get the project.
Believing the ruse, the victim performed 11 transactions to two bank accounts.
“She realised she was duped when she told a friend about the whole situation. By that time, it was way too late,” he said.
Comm Ramli said love scam cases continue to occur despite constant reminders from the police.
“We don’t rule out the possibility that the syndicates are manipulating the victims’ emotion.
“Investigations showed that some victims knew the modus operandi of love scam syndicates but they let their feelings cloud their judgment and fell into the traps,” he said.
In 2022, a total of 792 love scam cases involving RM56.2mil in losses were reported, Comm Ramli said.
“Last year, the number of cases increased to 935 with RM43.9mil in losses. As of June this year, 249 cases were recorded, involving RM12.8mil in losses,” he said.
He advised those who find friends online to be cautious and not to be easily swayed by sweet promises.
