COMMERCIAL crime has shown an increasing trend, with 30,992 cases and losses amounting to RM1.6 billion recorded in the first nine months of this year alone, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said.

He said fraud-related cases contributed to the highest losses, at RM1.24 billion, followed by breach of trust (RM310.18 million) and cybercrimes (RM31.14 million) between January and September this year.

In the same period, Ramli said, there were 19,220 cases of online scams with losses of RM687.6 million, with the highest losses (RM277.2 million) from this amount contributed by non-existent investments.

“Due to current economic issues, the number of commercial crime cases this year may surpass the 31,388 cases recorded in 2021,” he told a media conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre today.

He said members of the public are advised to be careful in making investments, especially those that promise lucrative returns.

“Bank slips claimed as investment dividend payments can be forged, so people need to be careful. Check with the authorities first before investing to find out whether such an investment exists or is valid,” he said.

Earlier, Ramli flagged off the 65 participants of the CCID 2023 Anti-Scam Kapcai Ride convoy to Cameron Highlands, aimed at enhancing public awareness on the dangers of online scams and frauds. – Bernama, October 12, 2023.