Online fraud cases in Sarawak continue to rise, with a total of 1,306 cases being reported in the first seven months of this year, according to Datuk Mohd Azman Sapri, Sarawak Police Commissioner. Compared to the same period in 2022, this is an increase of 145 cases or 12.49%. The losses from these online scams for the period amounted to RM49.3 million, a significant increase from RM24.7 million in the same period last year, accounting for a 99.56% rise.
The scams include 350 ecommerce related cases resulting in a loss of RM2.8 million, 186 job scams with a loss of RM6.1 million, 175 non-existent loan cases resulting in a loss of RM1.2 million, 145 phone scams cases with a loss of RM10.1 million, and 113 non-existent investment cases with a loss of RM15.1 million.
In 2023, a total of 345 arrests were made involving 553 suspects, according to Mohd Azman. Addressing concerns regarding online scams, a townhall session titled “Cyber Crime – Why Are We Still Being Deceived?” was organized to educate the public on how to avoid falling victim to cybercrime. The main objectives of the programme include preventing cybercrime, raising awareness about cybercrime, and providing legal education related to cybercrime.
The session was attended by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government II, Michael Tiang, and Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
