Cybercrime in Melaka surges with 538 cases and RM8.59 million in losses, as e-commerce and investment scams lead the wave of financial fraud
MELAKA: Cybercrime cases in Melaka have surged, with 538 reports lodged between January 1 and March 25 resulting in total losses of RM8.59 million.
State police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said e-commerce fraud was the most prevalent, accounting for 212 cases and RM1.65 million in losses. This was followed closely by online investment scams, which involved 103 cases and caused losses of RM3.55 million.
“Online shopping scams often surge ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as buyers pay for items that are never delivered,” he said during the talk show ‘Kokenut Shake Dulu: Polis dan Anda’. He noted that investment scams, including those on platforms like Telegram, remain a major source of loss, consistent with last year’s figures of 318 cases totalling RM31.4 million.
Non-existent loan scams ranked third with 84 incidents causing RM719,980.73 in losses. Job offer scams followed with 58 cases and losses of RM643,855.66.
Phone scams accounted for 46 cases and RM1.3 million in losses, while impersonation scams recorded 24 cases with RM133,721 lost. Love and parcel scams resulted in 11 cases and RM602,010 in losses.
“Love scams often involve three to six months of interaction, during which perpetrators study victims’ vulnerabilities before defrauding them,” Dzulkhairi explained. He added that victims come from all backgrounds, with investment scams targeting the financially stable and love scams often affecting single mothers or those experiencing loneliness.
The talk show was held in conjunction with the 219th Police Day celebration and was attended by Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Eu Kee Leong. In a separate update, Dzulkhairi said 200 officers will be deployed to manage traffic and security for the Melaka Sayang Rakyat Aidilfitri Open House this Saturday.
He urged visitors to the event at the Melaka International Trade Centre to follow police instructions and drive responsibly.
