KOTA KINABALU: Online scams, non-existent investment schemes and fake part time job opportunities are the most common commercial crime cases recorded throughout 2025 in Sabah.
The crimes along with other types of fraud have led to over RM119.8mil in losses, with Kota Kinabalu being the district with the highest number of cases, said Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Kasim Muda.
“Throughout last year, our commercial crime investigation division opened up a total of 1,347 investigation papers compared with 1,091 cases in 2024,” he said during a press conference here on Monday (Feb 9).
He said these involved an increase of 256 cases with losses increasing by RM24mil, exceeding 2024’s RM95mil losses.
“Most cases are online fraud (RM63.2mil in losses) and this remain the main threat to the public,” ACP Kasim said, adding that fake investments resulted in some RM29mil in losses, followed by phone scams at 258 cases, online sales fraud at 213 cases and job scams at 72 cases.
He said these syndicates use tactics such as fast investment returns, posing as enforcement authorities and offering fake job opportunities on social media platforms.
For this year, as of Jan 31, he said a total of 144 investigation papers involving RM10.5mil in losses have been recorded.
“Out of this, online scams of 107 cases with losses at RM9.4mil were reported, meaning this trend of crime is still active,” said ACP Kasim.
So far, a total of 20 suspects comprising locals and foreigners have been nabbed following raids at call centres focusing on online scams, he added.
Separate raids also saw seven local suspects arrested for allegedly purchasing ATM bank cards to be used as mule accounts, he said.
ACP Kasim said both these cases have been solved while the suspects have been charged in court.
He advised the public to not “rent” out their bank accounts even though they can be paid between RM500 and RM1,000 for each rental because this is against the law.
“Account holders can be fined at least RM10,000 or jailed a year or more,” he said.
ACP Kasim said police were working closely with the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Bank Negara (BNM), banking institutions and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) in handling online frauds.
He said accounts would be frozen within 48 hours from the time a report is lodged, but stressed that the public should be aware and more careful when getting calls regarding investments or dubious work offers.
He said they should always call and confirm with the said agency or company when getting calls from so-called representatives to prevent getting scammed of their hard-earned money.
