Love scams, a scourge often associated with targeting women, are increasingly ensnaring male victims, a trend exacerbated by reluctance to report due to feelings of shame, according to law enforcement authorities.
Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, the director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), revealed to The Star that official figures from 2022 and 2023 paint a concerning picture. In 2022, out of 794 reported cases of love scams, 149 victims were male. However, this number surged to 196 out of 935 cases in 2023.
"We believe there are more male victims out there, but their cases often remain undisclosed," he emphasized.
The financial toll of these scams is staggering. Within the initial two months of 2023 alone, 122 cases resulted in losses amounting to RM3.44 million. Throughout the year, a total of 935 reported cases saw victims swindled out of RM43.92 million. This contrasts with the figures from 2022, which witnessed 794 reported cases with losses totaling RM56.27 million.
Despite this, women remain the primary targets, constituting 739 out of 935 cases in 2023 and 645 out of 794 cases in 2022.
Ramli outlined the common modus operandi employed by scammers, which involves creating fictitious online personas to charm victims with enticing words and promises. Subsequently, they orchestrate intricate schemes, such as falsely claiming to send expensive gifts that necessitate payment of fictitious fees.
These scammers often impersonate entities like courier companies and Customs officials, deceiving victims into making payments. Once the money is transferred, the scammers vanish, leaving behind heartbroken victims.
"The emotional manipulation and breach of trust employed by these scams make it challenging for victims to discern the deception until it's too late," Ramli remarked.
Furthermore, scammers are adapting their tactics, incorporating digital currency wallets alongside traditional bank accounts.
Despite law enforcement efforts, with 774 arrests in 2023 and 1,041 in 2022 linked to these scams, challenges persist. Many scammers operate locally with the aid of accomplices, exploiting Malaysian bank accounts to receive victims' funds.
Ramli urged male victims to come forward and report such incidents, emphasizing their right to seek justice. He stressed that men are not immune to falling victim to sextortion, underscoring the importance of raising awareness and taking proactive measures to combat these insidious scams.
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