Malaysians scammed of over RM50 million since October

PETALING JAYA - The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) reports that internet fraud syndicates have cost Malaysians RM52.4 million in losses.

The National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC) Integrated Operations Division Director Md Zainizam Mat Jenu said the records were based on the overall reports received from Oct 2022 to Jan, this year.

He said the NSRC has received 16,752 calls throughout the duration, with 6,277 of them relating to online scams.

"The reports found 12,877 bank accounts suspected of being mule accounts.

"I would like to remind those who willingly sold or lent their accounts to these syndicates that you can be charged in court," he said during the 2023 National Anti-Scam Tour at Digi Celcom Tower, here, on Saturday.

Also present were Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) chairman Datuk Ahmad Noordin Ismail and the head of Malaysia's Cybersecurity Division, Mohd Zabri Adil Talib.

Zainizam said the existence of mule accounts complicates the authorities' efforts to track the syndicates as it can possibly remove their criminal traces.

He said the government is currently working towards freezing syndicated accounts.

"If it is approved, the assets will be used by the government for the nation’s welfare," he explained.