RM71mil lost through online scams in Johor this year, say Johor cops

JOHOR BARU: Johor police have received over 2,000 reports online scam cases involving some RM71mil in losses since early 2023, says Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat (pic).

Comm Kamarul Zaman said this was an increase of about 15.5% compared to 2022.

“Between Jan 1 and Sept 16, we received a total of 2,079 reports related to online scams compared to 1,800 during the same period last year.

“The amount of losses have also increased from RM57mil last year to RM71mil this year,” he said in a statement here on Sunday (Sept 17).

He added that online purchase scams comprised the most number of cases at 485, followed by fake investment scams with 382 cases.

“Some RM7mil was lost from online purchase scam while losses of RM29mil were recorded for fake investment scam cases.

“Others include 368 phone scam cases involving RM17mil in losses, 361 job scams with losses amounting to RM9mil as well as 338 fake loan scam involving RM3mil in losses,” he said.

He said that of the 2,079 cases received this year, 478 of them have been reported to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).

“We urge the public to be careful when dealing with online activities to avoid falling prey to such scams,” he said.