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SIBU, Sept 5: Online scam cases have continued to rise in Sarawak, with a total of 1,306 cases reported in the first seven months of this year, indicating a 12.49 per cent increase compared to the same period last year when there were 1,161 reported cases.
Speaking at a ‘Townhall Discussion’ session, Sarawak Commissioner of Police, Datuk Mohd Azman Sapri, revealed that victims collectively lost RM49.3 million in 2023, compared to RM24.7 million during the same period in 2022, marking a substantial increase of RM24.6 million or 99.56 percent.
The reported cases encompass various types of scams, including e-commerce scams (350 cases with a loss of RM2.8 million), job offer scams (186 cases with a loss of RM6.1 million), non-existent loan scams (175 cases totaling RM1.2 million), phone scams (145 cases with a loss of RM10.1 million), and non-existent investment scams (113 cases with a total loss of RM15.1 million).
Datuk Mohd Azman noted that a total of 345 arrests, involving 553 suspects related to these cases, were made in 2023.
Regarding the ‘Cyber Crime Why Are We Still Being Deceived’ Townhall session, he explained that its main objectives are to educate the public on how to avoid falling victim to scams.
“The three main goals of this program include aspects of cybercrime prevention, educating the public about cybercrime awareness, and providing legal education related to cybercrime,” he emphasised.
Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government II, Michael Tiang, and Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili were also present at the session. — DayakDaily
