Commercial crime cases in Johor amount to RM287mil in 2023, says cop

JOHOR BARU: Over 4,000 commercial crime cases with losses amounting to RM267mil were recorded last year, says Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.

The state police chief said the number of commercial crime cases Johor cops received last year was about twice that of the previous year.

“In 2023, we opened up 4,383 investigation papers related to commercial crimes with total losses of RM267mil.

“The number of cases last year went up by 50% or 1,462 cases compared to 2022, where we recorded 2,921 cases.

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“Meanwhile, the amount of losses suffered had gone up by 4% or RM11mil last year compared to the previous year where losses were at RM256mil,” he said.

He said this in his speech during the police monthly assembly at its headquarters here on Wednesday (Jan 17).

Comm Kamarul Zaman said that 84% of the cases or 3,695 were related to scams.

“The top four scam cases that were reported to us last year were online shopping scams with 748 cases, investment scams (631), job scams (530), and loan scams (528).

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“We also found that 80% of the scams happened online, where the suspects and victims have never met each other face to face.

“The figures recorded from last year show that many still lack awareness about commercial crimes, causing them to be swayed by offers they see online easily,” he said.

He added that the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department will collaborate with other departments within the police force, other government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organisations to increase awareness.

During the event, Comm Kamarul Zaman handed out certificates of appreciation to more than 80 people, including police personnel and officers, members of the media and the public.