KUCHING, Nov 9: Scammers fleeced victims of RM106 million in 2,575 cases recorded between January to Oct 31 this year in Sarawak.
Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said this was a stark increase of 22.21 per cent in terms of number of cases, and 84.67 per cent in terms of money loss when compared to the same period of 2022.
Over the corresponding period in 2022, a total of 2,107 commercial crime cases involving losses of RM57.4 million was recorded.
The most common commercial crime cases in Sarawak in the first 10 months of 2023, according to Mohd Azman were in e-business, with 503 cases and RM4 million in losses.
Money-lending scams came in second with 264 cases involving a total loss of RM2 million while fake online job offers registered 253 cases and RM8 million in losses.
Over the same period, 226 phone scam cases resulting in RM14.3 million in losses were recorded.
Investment scams though comparatively low in number compare to e-business scams, accounted for 222 cases with a total loss of RM22.9 million.
Mohd Azman said for the corresponding period, Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) made 815 arrests while 1,005 individuals were charged in court.
He said in August, Sarawak CCID raided two premises in Kuching which were used as call centres by scammers.
“Five suspects comprising four men and one woman were arrested by the police. Items seized included 21 handphones of various brands, three desktop computers, two sets of modem and wifi routers, three sedan cars, 45 ATM cards from various banks and RM6,646 in cash,” said Mohd Azman during a press conference after the opening of Sarawak Police Headquarters Pavilion which was streamed live on social media.
He said Vulture Operation in Sibu also saw the apprehension of four suspects who were believed to be involved in illegal money laundering cases in Sibu. — DayakDaily
