KUALA LUMPUR: A multi-agency retreat to strengthen efforts against scams will be held next week, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the retreat, scheduled for May 23 and 24, will focus on strategic measures to improve coordination between enforcement agencies in tackling such crimes.
"It is important to note that, beyond legal aspects, closer coordination, more structured alignment and stronger cooperation between agencies and departments are essential, as many of these crimes are time-dependent or occur within specific timeframes.
"If we are able to block funds from being transferred out within half an hour or an hour, and then move to arrest those attempting to withdraw the money, we will be successful in curbing scam activities.
"Several other initiatives will also be discussed during the retreat, and we will provide updates afterwards," he told reporters after the Lembah Pantai Teachers’ Day celebration here on Thursday (May 14).
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In a front-page report last month, The Star highlighted a worrying spike in online job scams targeting youths over the past two years.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Rusdi Md Isa was quoted as saying that for the first three months of this year, there was an average of two job scam cases daily involving youths aged between 17 and 22.
Comm Rusdi also said a total of 569 cases were recorded in 2024 involving individuals in the same age group.
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Fahmi said last month that the retreat, organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will involve several stakeholders, including the police and banking institutions.
He said the retreat would address issues related to fraud and online scams, including loan shark activities, job, investment and love scams, as well as other crimes involving the misuse of network services.
