KUALA LUMPUR – Police have recorded 67,735 online crime cases nationwide from January to November this year, involving losses of more than RM2.7 billion.
Speaking to Scoop, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said telecommunications scams remained the most common type of online crime, with 28,698 cases, followed by e-commerce fraud with 14,881 cases.
He said non-existent investment schemes were also among the largest contributors to financial losses, with 9,296 cases reported. This was followed by non-existent loan scams (8,029 cases), e-finance fraud (5,853 cases) and love scams (978 cases).
“The total losses from non-existent investments amounted to over RM1.37 billion, the highest among all categories.
“This was followed by telecommunications crimes (RM715.7 million), e-finance crimes (RM458.1 million), e-commerce fraud (RM123.7 million), non-existent loans (RM59.1 million) and love scams (RM43.7 million),” he said when contacted.
The statistics reflect a worrying surge in cybercrime, prompting authorities to urge the public to act swiftly if they fall victim.
Rusdi advised victims to immediately contact their respective banks to block any suspicious transactions.
He added that victims should also lodge a report with the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via its 997 hotline, in addition to filing a police report for further investigation.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also intensified its crackdown on online scams, removing tens of thousands of fraudulent posts and tightening rules for digital platforms in an effort to protect consumers.
According to official figures, MCMC submitted 139,880 takedown requests between January 2022 and September 2025, with 95 per cent successfully removed. In 2024 alone, 66,507 scam-related contents were taken down, while the first two months of 2025 saw another 19,200 removals.
The commission has also worked closely with the Securities Commission (SC) to combat scams involving unlicensed investment schemes. This partnership combines regulatory oversight with investor protection, ensuring that platforms and financial operators are held accountable.
In January 2025, new licensing rules under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) came into force, requiring social media and messaging platforms to comply with stricter regulations. MCMC says these rules are designed to make platforms more responsible for managing fraudulent and harmful content.
Beyond content takedowns, MCMC has deployed AI-driven monitoring systems to detect scams more efficiently and collaborated with telecommunications companies to block suspicious calls and messages. Scam operators face prosecution under the Penal Code [Act 574], with investigations led by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Officials warn that online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting both consumers and investors. MCMC’s campaign, they say, is not just about removing scam content but about restoring trust in Malaysia’s digital space. – December 8, 2025