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KOTA BARU: Commercial crime cases in Kelantan saw a significant increase to 2,016 cases for the first 11 months of this year compared to 1,014 cases for the same period last year.
Kelantan police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat (pic) said the increase of 1,002 cases was, however, accompanied by a positive development as the total overall losses decreased from RM52.5mil to RM43.6mil.
He said the decrease in the amount of losses reflects the effectiveness of enforcement measures, early intervention and public awareness efforts in reducing the financial impact on victims.
"For a fraction of cases, e-commerce fraud saw an increase from 193 cases with losses of RM1.68mil, to 519 cases with losses of RM3.22mil.
"Other cybercrimes also saw a worrying trend with an increase of 224 cases involving losses of RM4.23mil to 516 cases with losses of RM8.47mil," he told a press conference after the monthly assembly at state police contingent headquarters on Thursday (Dec 18).
Comm Yusoff said among the categories that saw the most significant surge was online part-time job scams, which increased from 74 cases with losses of RM1.57mil to 245 cases involving losses of RM7.52mil.
He said this trend reflects the changing modus operandi of increasingly sophisticated criminals who exploit the digital space and the low level of consumer awareness.
"We will continue to strengthen prevention strategies, intensify intelligence gathering, expand inter-agency cooperation, and increase public awareness to protect the economic well-being of the community," he said.
Meanwhile, Comm Yusoff said his team would continue strengthening efforts to prevent extremism and violence through the implementation of the Leveraging Educator Against Radical Narrative (LEARN) Project.
This initiative focuses on lectures and engagement at the school level conducted by school liaison officers as early prevention measures, including programmes at SMK Dato’ Ahmad Maher, Kota Baru, SMK (A) Falahiah, Tumpat and SMK (A) Jedol, Tanah Merah.
This programme is strengthened by strategic involvement, including the Education Ministry, and in collaboration with the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8).
"Kelantan is not immune to the threat of extremism and the influence of violent thinking through digital platforms.
"Today's enemies are not just those who are armed, but also those who poison minds with distorted arguments and divisive narratives," he added. – Bernama
