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Friday, August 15, 2025

Cyber scams rising sharply; Scam victims face trauma of losses

Home Ministry ramps up efforts as losses hit rm1.12bil



ONLINE scams in Malaysia have caused a staggering Rm1.12bil in financial losses in just the first half of 2025 alone, says the Home Ministry.

It said that the government would begin intensifying its efforts and curb online scam losses in the country, which include strengthening the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), in response to the growing scam cases.

The ministry said this would involve the creation of new positions involving various schemes.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also agreed for the NSRC to be placed under the direct supervision of the Home Ministry. It has also been decided that it will be led by the police force,” the Home Ministry said in a parliamentary written

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also agreed for the NSRC to be placed under the direct supervision of the Home Ministry.” Home Ministry

reply to R. Yuneswaran (Phsegamat) on the amount of money lost by Malaysians due to online scams and the steps being taken to address the issue.

The ministry also said it is studying the feasibility of drafting a Cybercrime Bill as part of its efforts to combat cybercrimes in the country. It added that its Semakmule portal, which enables the public to check bank account numbers, phone numbers and companies used by scammers, currently has 265,869 bank accounts, 211,265 phone numbers, and 12,724 company names recorded.

On Aug 5, the Digital Ministry said online scam financial losses in 2024 reached a worrying Rm1.58bil, a 2.53% increase from the year prior.

It was reported earlier that to cope with an average of 500 scamrelated calls per day, the government has approved an additional 139 permanent staff for the NSRC.

In the interim, 40 Commercial Crime Investigation Department personnel have been deployed to assist operations.

Currently, the NSRC is supported by personnel from the police, Bank Negara, calling agents appointed by the central bank and bank officers.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the NSRC’S operations will be relocated to Cyberjaya by early September to allow all agencies to work under one roof.

Scam victims face trauma of losses

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/15/scam-victims-face-trauma-of-losses
M'sians whose money vanished also have sleepless nights and trust issues. PETALING JAYA: At 5am on April 1, 2023, Lawrence was jolted awake .

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