BUKIT Aman Commercial CID data revealed a total of 19,224 online crime cases from January to September this year, an increase of 23% compared to 15,659 cases for the same period last year.

Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said the value of such cases rose to RM687 million or 29% higher compared to the same period in 2022.

“The Cyber999 Help Centre operated by Cyber Security Malaysia recorded 4,898 incidents of cybercrime from January to October this year, with online fraud topping the list with 3,087 incidents,” she said. 

Teo was giving a welcoming address at the 2023 National Anti-Scam Tour opening in Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok, today.

The Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra Sultan Ismail Petra officiated the ceremony. Also present was Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

Teo said incidents of online fraud need serious attention as the country is suffering from millions of ringgit of losses and emotional pressure.

She said statistics also showed that scam victims comprised all strata of Malaysian society, including professionals such as lecturers, teachers, engineers, doctors and businessmen, as well as retirees and senior citizens. 

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also took down 4,013 accounts as of October 31.

“During the same period, MCMC also blocked 1,764 fake websites for phishing,” she said.           

Teo added that MCMC barred 410,590,277 unsolicited SMS from being transmitted from January to September this year, while 19 million SMS with hyperlinks were also blocked from May 2 to September 2023.

She said a total of 79,322 lines including mobile and terrestrial lines which sent dubious SMS were also terminated from January to September 2023.

“MCMC also blocked 553,173,467 suspicious calls from January to September this year,” she said. – Bernama, November 14, 2023.