Running on empathy: Love scams reaped RM20mil this year, says CCID director

KUALA LUMPUR: Love scams are still breaking hearts and emptying bank accounts in the country, with Bukit Aman recording RM20mil in losses from such cases this year up to August.

Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf (pic) said statistics from January to August found that 368 women and 128 men had fallen victim to these scams.

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Women made up the most victims last year at 744, he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Friday (Sept 6).

“Among the likely factors that lead to more women being victimised is that syndicates create strategies to take advantage of their empathy.

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"Analysis showed that no specific category of people is targeted by the scammers. Anyone can fall victim.

"In 2022, most victims were within the 21-30 age group, at 211 victims.

"Last year, however, most were in the 41-50 bracket, with 215.

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"Up to August this year, the pattern reverted to the 21-30 group, with 178 victims," he said.

Comm Ramli urged the public to be sceptical of people trying to initiate relationships online, and to beware of telltale signs such as sudden requests for money, inconsistent stories and profiles that are too good to be true.