KOTA KINABALU: Cybercrimes, particularly online fraud, are the main contributors to the rise in commercial crime cases in Sabah, said state police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun.
He said that between January and October this year, 1,119 online fraud cases were reported, of which 634 were phone scams and 485 involved online shopping fraud.
Sabah police, he said, recorded 2,260 commercial crime cases in the first 10 months of the year – an increase of 295 cases or 15.19% – compared to 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 here on Tuesday, though he did not provide figures from the previous year.
He stressed that the police remain committed to running continuous awareness campaigns on commercial crimes, both in person and via social media.
Jauteh also advised the public to remain vigilant about current commercial crime trends to avoid falling victim to scams.
“People are advised not to be easily deceived by offers that are uncertain or suspicious,” he added.
Jauteh also pointed out that the crime index for the first 10 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 noted 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.
