By William Isau
SIBU, Jan 4: A total of 26 Macau Scam cases that involved losses of more than RM2.7 million were reported in the Sibu district last year.
This shows a drop in the number of cases compared to the previous year, which reported 38 cases involving a loss of more than RM2.5 million.
Acting Sibu district police chief, Supt Dr Collin Babat, said that a total of 41 cases had been successfully charged in Court, while another 23 cases are still under investigation.
“This achievement by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), Sibu District Police Headquarters is considered to be the best among all district police stations in the State,” he said today.
He explained that every report received will be investigated in detail following the existing legal provisions such as the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Moneylenders Act 1951, and Cyber Crimes Act 1997.
Supt Dr Collin said the investigation of commercial crime cases would typically involve bank accounts, phone numbers, social media accounts, and so on.
“For investigations involving bank accounts, certain procedures need to be followed by the police to obtain the bank account holder’s information as provided under the law. This includes the Financial Services Act 2013 (APK), the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (APIK), and the Development Financial Institutions Act (AIKP) before the Financial Service Provider (FSP) could reveal the related information,” he added.
He explained that the police could not take action arbitrarily and set aside established procedures and laws that have been provided for.
Therefore, all parties should give space to the police to carry out their duties transparently under existing legal provisions.
The police, he said, had also taken various efforts to raise awareness among the society, such as giving talks at government departments, schools, communities, and houses of worship.
“In addition, patrol activities conducted by AMANITA Sibu District Headquarters as well as announcements through mass media and social media are also the channels in delivery of information to the community,” he said.
He advised the public not to be easily panicked or anxious when receiving a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to be from any government department or financial institution.
They should instead immediately end the phone call and check with the relevant party through a valid telephone number or go in person to the department or institution concerned to make a confirmation.
Never call a telephone number provided by the suspect, he strongly advised.
The public can also check the suspect’s phone number and bank account through the ‘CHECK SCAMMER CCID’ application or the website (http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) before making any financial transactions.
In addition, the public can also contact the CCID scam response centre at 03-26101559/03-26101599 or CCID infoline at line 013-2111222 (WhatsApp/SMS) for advice or information related to online criminal cases.
“If you feel you have been deceived, please make a police report at any police station near you,” he advised.
