Kuala Lumpur, 6th August 2025 - Malaysians of all age groups have lost a staggering half a billion ringgit to phone scams in the past three years, police said.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department Director, CP Dato' Rusdi Mohd Isa said the department recorded 7,473 phone scam cases from 2023 to June this year, involving losses amounting to RM532,765,591.07.
“These scams are not slowing down. In 2023 alone, we received 3,027 reports involving RM158.8 million in losses, and we arrested 1,139 individuals linked to syndicates,” he said.
“In 2024, the number of cases dipped slightly to 2,825, but losses remained high at RM142.2 million, with 1,281 arrests made.” “Between January and June this year, police have registered 1,621 cases, totalling RM72.95 million in losses. We arrested 713 suspects.” He said these figures show how widespread and damaging phone scams had become. Scammers prey on victims using fear, deception and false authority.
Young adults main target, Dato' Rusdi said the highest number of victims fell within the 21 to 30 age group, with 2,736 cases reported over the two-and-a-half year period.
Read further on News Straits Times article attached.