ALMOST RM600 million in losses were recorded last year as a result of cybercrime in the country, Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

She said the data show that the problem of cybercrime is serious and the ministry will focus on educating the people to become more digitally literate and not become victims.

She said one of the steps is to work with social media platform providers such as TikTok in promoting the “Stop For Three Second” programme, which will be launched next month.

“The ‘three seconds’ here is to help the community think first whether information received is authentic,” she said when met by reporters after presenting a donation for flood victims at Taman Desa Tanjung Damai in Gong Badak, near Kuala Nerus, today.

Teo also said social media platform providers will help promote the National Scam Response Centre’s 997 hotline.

She said the hotline, which is still little known, is a government initiative to help victims of cybercrime to prevent losses.

“This hotline operates 12 hours daily and is a one-stop centre manned by representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, private banks, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police, who will do their best to stop the transfers of victims’ money,” she said.

“The ministry wants to help the victims because we know if we don’t act quick enough, even though the person may eventually be caught, the victims won’t be able to get their money back.”

In another development, Teo said 471 telecommunications towers nationwide were affected by last month’s floods. However, they have been repaired and are now working as usual.

Earlier, Teo presented basic necessities to 1,000 residents in Taman Desa Tanjung Damai and 24 ministry workers who were affected by the floods.

She said the donation was contributed by the ministry’s staff and partners such as telecommunications companies. – Bernama, January 14, 2023.