KUCHING: Police recorded fewer scam cases in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said a total of 451 scam cases involving losses amounting to RM20.1 million, were recorded by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) from Jan 1 to Mar 23 this year.
He stated that this showed a declining trend compared to last year’s figure in the same period, which saw 552 cases with losses totalling RM15 million.
“The number of cases showed a decrease of 101 cases or 18.3 per cent. As for losses, it increased by RM5.1 million or 34 per cent.
“The cases that involve the most victims and losses in Sarawak have to do with e-commerce with 141 cases and RM1.32 million in losses; investments with 52 cases and RM11 million in losses; and non-existent loans with 49 cases and RM378,000 in losses,” he said in a press conference here today (Mar 25).
In the same period, the police arrested 193 individuals, who have been involved in commercial crimes.
Mancha urged the public to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) on 997 to report suspicious activities and block transactions that occur within 24 hours.
“They should also download the ‘Whoscall’ app via Google Play Store or Apple Store, which help them to decide whether to answer an unknown phone call or not.
“In addition, they can also verify a suspect’s phone number and bank account through the Check Scammers CCID app at semakmule.rmp.gov.my, and to check the legitimacy of individual or company investors via the investment checkers application on the sc.com.my investment-checker website.
The public can follow the CCID’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to stay informed about the latest scam tactics used by scammers.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Ibrahim Darus, Sarawak CCID chief Supt Maria Rasid, Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, and Sarawak NCID deputy chief Supt Gabriel Risut.
