RM302 million losses chalked up from online scams since 2021

Malaysians suffered a total loss of RM302 million due to online scams on Facebook and Instagram from 2021 to June this year.

Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said these comprised RM232 million in losses from Facebook scams and RM70 million from Instagram scams.

"We have had a meeting with Meta, the parent company, because we really want to prove that this is a serious issue.

"For the record, the losses recorded from scams on Facebook for 2021 stood at RM80 million, and RM92 million for 2022, but this year up to June, it has already reached RM60 million.

"As for Instagram, although the amount is smaller, some RM20 million in losses was recorded in 2021 and RM25 million in 2022. The losses recorded for the first six months of this year were RM25 million, the same as last year," she told reporters in Kulai yesterday. 

Teo also advised social media users to be more aware and to become digitally literate to avoid falling victim to scams.

"During our recent meeting with Meta representatives, we conveyed a clear message regarding the issue. They promised to improve their efforts to prevent this problem from becoming rampant," said the Kulai MP.