No decline in online scam cases in Malaysia despite campaigns, says minister
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Most of the syndicates operated from abroad, using anonymity to complicate investigations and prosecutions.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
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KUALA LUMPUR – Despite numerous awareness campaigns and enforcement measures, online scam cases in Malaysia have not shown any significant decline, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
The Home Minister added that scams such as job, parcel and love remain among the most rampant forms of cybercrime in the country, even though agencies including the police, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Bank Negara Malaysia and the private sector had undertaken outreach programmes.
However, the trend of online scams has not shown a noticeable reduction, he said in a parliamentary reply on Aug 19.
Mr Saifuddin attributed this to four main factors – the constantly changing tactics of syndicates, low levels of digital literacy, the openness of digital platforms and challenges in cross-border enforcement.
He noted that scammers frequently use fake identities and cloned websites to deceive victims while many people, including the young and elderly, still lack understanding of such modus operandi.
This, he said, makes them vulnerable despite repeated awareness efforts.
On enforcement, he added that most of the syndicates operated from abroad, using anonymity to complicate investigations and prosecutions.
The police conducted more than 10,400 prevention activities nationwide in 2024, from exhibitions and community talks to meet-and-greet sessions and media engagements.
Mr Saifuddin said Malaysia strengthened its international cooperation by moving to ratify the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention on cybercrime, in addition to enhancing the role of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), now placed under the Home Ministry and led by the police.
“Through the Frontier+ platform, NSRC is also working with foreign anti-scam centres to curb financial transactions involving international syndicates,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s participation in Asean and international forums is crucial in tackling cross-border cybercrime.
At the same time, he said the Safe Internet Campaign, launched in January 2025, had so far reached 559 schools and higher learning institutions, involving more than 60,000 students.
Mr Saifuddin urged the public to remain vigilant and verify transactions through official channels.
“Fighting online scams requires comprehensive cooperation from all parties to create a safer and more ethical cyberspace,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
