Over 31,100 online crime cases recorded from 2021 to June 30

A total of 31,169 online crime cases were recorded from 2021 until June 30 this year, the finance ministry said today.

It said that based on police statistics, these crimes included online purchase fraud, non-existent loans, African scams or love scams, Macau scams, investment, business email compromise and SMS scams.

"Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and financial institutions have collaborated with various enforcement agencies such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, Companies Commission of Malaysia as well as the Securities Commission, including in monitoring, investigation and prosecution in court.

"Furthermore, efforts to increase public awareness about financial fraud have also been multiplied through a series of online awareness talks, using media channels and social media sites," the ministry said in a written reply to Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Stampin) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

THe finance ministry said BNM was also working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and telecommunication companies to improve the security of communication and multimedia channels to prevent the dissemination of false messages and the spread of malware by financial fraud syndicates.

Phone numbers and mobile devices involved in financial fraud cases will also be blacklisted, it said.

The ministry said that banking institutions are adopting high security system standards to protect their customers' accounts.

The government through BNM is also continuously strengthening the banking security guidelines and the policies that financial institutions must adhere to, it added.