KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – The financial losses due to cybercrime in Malaysia have escalated to an alarming level, recording over RM2.7 billion in losses in just the first 11 months of 2025. The number of reported cases has also surpassed 67,000, illustrating the severity of the digital threat facing the nation.
Data compiled from January to November 2025 reveals that a total of 67,735 online crime cases were reported nationwide, showing a significant increase in the tactics and reach of cyber fraudsters.
Three Main Categories Dominate the Statistics
According to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), cybercrime is divided into several categories, with three of them recording the highest number of cases:
- Telecommunication Crimes (Call Scams): Dominate with 28,698 reported cases. This category includes tactics such as Macau Scam and impersonation of government agency or bank officials to extort money from victims.
- E-commerce Crimes: Recorded 14,881 cases, involving fraudulent buying and selling of fake goods or services on online platforms.
- Non-Existent Investment Scheme Scams: Recorded 9,296 reported cases, but their impact on financial losses is the most devastating.
Important Note: Although Non-Existent Investment Schemes recorded a lower number of cases compared to telecommunication scams, they are responsible for a significant majority of the overall losses.
Investment Schemes: The Biggest Black Hole of Losses
Bogus investment schemes offering unrealistic returns have proven to be a financial black hole for Malaysians. With only 9,296 cases, this category recorded a collective loss of over RM1.37 billion, nearly half of the country’s total cyber loss.
The main modus operandi of these groups is to use attractive advertisements and social media platforms, promising quick profits, subsequently persuading victims to transfer large sums of money into fake “investment accounts.”
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has reportedly repeatedly urged the public to always be vigilant and verify the legitimacy of any investment scheme with legitimate regulatory agencies such as the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) before making any financial decisions.
Enhanced Preventive Measures
This sharp increase demands swift and more effective action from the authorities. PDRM, in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and financial institutions, has intensified public awareness campaigns. The establishment of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) also serves as a rapid response mechanism to allow victims to quickly report scams to block the withdrawal of stolen funds.
The public is advised to adopt the principle of “Stop, Think, and Check” before disclosing personal information or making any online money transfers.
(Leakim Otid)
