KOTA KINABALU: Cyber crimes, especially online fraud, are the primary contributors to the rise in commercial crime cases in Sabah, says to state police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun.
He said that between January and October 2024, 1,119 online fraud cases were reported, 634 of which were phone scams, and 485 involved online shopping fraud.
Jauteh noted that Sabah police recorded 2,260 commercial crime cases in the first 10 months of the year, an increase of 295 cases, or 15.19%, compared to the 1,962 cases recorded last year.
“The losses from commercial crime have surged by 306.46%, amounting to RM256,118,913.79,” he told reporters on Tuesday (Nov 12). He did not provide figures from the previous year.
He stressed that the police remain committed to running continuous awareness campaigns on commercial crimes in person and via social media.
Jauteh urged the public to stay vigilant and aware of current commercial crime trends to prevent becoming victims of scams.
He said the crime index for the first ten months of the year had increased by 220 cases, or 6.41%.
This includes a rise in violent crimes (134 cases, or 29.84%) and property crimes (86 cases, or 2.88%).
"In comparison to the national crime index, Sabah ranks 10th with a 6.41% rate, while we are ranked third in Malaysia with an 80.42% solving rate," he said.
Regarding drug cases, Jauteh mentioned a 4.1% increase in drug supply cases, with 33 additional cases reported. However, the number of arrests for drug supply decreased by 0.7%, or seven people.
On the other hand, arrests for drug possession rose by 12.8%, with 491 people arrested, and drug possession cases increased by 16.7%, or 561 cases.
“Sabah contingents successfully seized various types of drugs, with ketum leaves topping the list,” he added, but did not provide further details.
