Sabah records 4,595 scam cases
Published on: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Hajiji said online purchase scams recorded the highest number at 1,818, followed by phone scams (1,296), non-existent loans (596), investments (586), love scams (118) and offences under the Computer Crimes Act (181).
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded a total of 4,595 scam cases over the past three years, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
There were 1,169 cases reported in 2021, 1,206 in 2022 and 1,818 in 2023. As of March this year, 402 scam cases have been reported.
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Hajiji said online purchase scams recorded the highest number at 1,818, followed by phone scams (1,296), non-existent loans (596), investments (586), love scams (118) and offences under the Computer Crimes Act (181).
“The number of complaints also shows an increasing trend each year, a phenomenon experienced worldwide, including in our country,” he said in a written reply to a question by Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee at the State Legislative Assembly, Friday.
He added that fraudulent activities, whether online or offline, fall under the jurisdiction of the police, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDN), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and relevant agencies, depending on the types of scams being carried out.
“Various actions have been and are being taken by the Federal and State Governments to control the increasing number of scam cases.”
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On the Federal Government’s efforts, actions include organising commercial crime awareness campaigns, establishing the SemakMule portal (https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/) and organising the State-level National Anti-Scam Tour 2023.
A television drama series, Cyber999 Docudrama, based on 26 true stories, depicts various cybercrime modus operandi and incidents related to cyber safety.
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“This series was aired from March to May 2023 on TV1, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
“The production of this drama aims to raise awareness among viewers to not be deceived and become victims of scams, and to curb fraudulent SMS services,” he said.
As for the State Government, he said special attention was given to online scam issues since 2022, through the Public Awareness Programme on Cybercrime Among Civil Servants series.
“So far, six programmes have been implemented around Keningau, Sandakan, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu, involving around 700 civil servants.”
He added that plans are also being made to expand this initiative to the public through collaborative efforts with strategic partners.
“Overall, since 2022, the State Government has implemented 15 training or awareness programmes related to cyber safety,” he said.
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