KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM3.6bil has been lost in 52,000 cases of commercial crime from January to September, says Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
"It marks a staggering 81.6% increase in cases compared with the same period last year.
"The statistics are alarming, reflecting shattered trust, broken dreams and lives devastated by fraud, not merely numbers on paper," he said in his speech during the Bukit Aman monthly assembly on Tuesday (Oct 14).
The IGP said online fraud, including love scams and investment scams accounted for 80% of all commercial crime cases.
"From January to September alone, over 47,000 online scam cases were reported, resulting in losses of RM2bil – a 94% jump compared to the same period last year.
"These scams often prey on victims’ emotions and hopes, manipulating them into transferring money before realising they have been deceived," he added.
Khalid said the government takes the rising trend seriously and has tasked the police, through the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), to lead efforts under the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).
"The NSRC unites the expertise of the police, National Financial Crime Center (NFCC), Bank Negara Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
"Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week since July 7, the NSRC serves as the frontline in assisting victims, enabling swift action to freeze or track stolen funds," he said.
Since its establishment on Oct 12, 2022, until Sept 30 this year, the NSRC has handled over 266,000 calls, Khalid said.
"A total of 160,000 were classified as genuine cases, requiring follow-up action to trace and block stolen funds, while 115,000 were general inquiries, including requests for prevention advice or information on past cases," he said.
The CCID has detained nearly 21,000 suspects for various commercial crimes this year, he added.
"At the same time, more than 14,000 preventive initiatives such as exhibitions, talks and strategic media collaborations were carried out to raise public awareness of scam threats," he said.
Khalid hoped that ongoing operations would drive more effective prevention measures and deliver consistent results in curbing commercial crime.
"The CCID remains committed to strengthening synergy and collaboration with other agencies, academia and financial institutions to combat commercial crime comprehensively and sustainably," he said.
