KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The rising trend of online fraud or scam cases in the country is increasingly worrying, with 47,854 cases involving a total loss of RM1.919 billion as of last September, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
He said that according to statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) through its Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), the number of scam cases had increased by 12,486 from 35,368 cases in 2024, which involved losses of RM1.574 billion.
“This illustrates the significant number of victims involved, and in light of this situation, the government remains committed to implementing various measures, including stricter law enforcement, to address this crime,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) about the government’s move to combat online fraud.
He added that the government has amended the Penal Code to strengthen enforcement against cybercrime, particularly the use of mule accounts, with new provisions under Sections 424A to 424D empowering the PDRM to investigate and prosecute those involved.
The government has also amended the Criminal Procedure Code, introducing a new provision that allows the police to seize bank accounts or financial instruments suspected of being used for criminal activities, thereby preventing stolen funds from being transferred to criminals.
Shamsul Anuar also said the government is drafting a new bill on cybercrime to strengthen the country’s legal framework against the growing complexity of cyber threats.
