Online scam cases jump 87pc to 66,204 this year, losses near RM3b, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — A total of 66,204 online scam cases have been recorded so far this year, marking an 87 per cent increase compared with last year, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said.

According to The Star, the sharp rise highlights the growing threat posed by cybercriminals despite ongoing enforcement actions and public awareness campaigns.

Mohd Khalid said the worrying increase in scam cases has also been accompanied by rising financial losses, with victims losing RM2.97 billion last year — an increase of RM1.40 billion compared with 2024.

He said phone scams remained the most commonly reported category, with 28,388 cases recorded.

However, investment scams involving non-existent schemes caused the highest financial losses, amounting to RM1.47 billion.

Mohd Khalid said scam syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using digital platforms and technology to target unsuspecting victims.

“These figures are not merely statistics. Behind every case is an individual or family that has suffered financial hardship and emotional distress,” he said in a speech at the launch of the Combat Scam campaign on Monday (June 15).

He added that the rapid growth of digital services and online transactions had created new opportunities for fraudsters, making cooperation between authorities, financial institutions and the public essential in tackling cybercrime.

Mohd Khalid also praised the Combat Scam campaign, saying it strengthens collaboration between law enforcement and the banking sector while improving financial literacy and cybersecurity awareness among Malaysians.

“The fight against scams cannot be left solely to enforcement agencies. It requires the collective commitment of banks, government agencies and the public,” he said.

He urged the public to remain vigilant when conducting online transactions and to verify information through official channels before responding to any requests involving money or personal data.