KUALA LUMPUR: Financial scams caused losses totalling RM1.23 billion involving 18,213 victims between 2016 and August 2026, with 1,754 charges brought against individuals in connection with such offences, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said RM14.01 million had been recovered and returned to victims since the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) began operations on Oct 12, 2022, up to August this year, according to The Star.
Between January and August 2026, authorities seized RM9.14 million, of which RM6.67 million was returned to victims, he said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday.
Saifuddin said the government was strengthening the NSRC's operations through its 24-hour hotline, 997, while police had intensified intelligence-led investigations, financial forensic analysis and efforts to dismantle mule-account networks.
Enforcement had also been strengthened through Sections 424A to 424D of the Penal Code, which provide penalties for offences involving the use of bank accounts and payment instruments for criminal activities.
He said the government was also working with financial institutions, telecommunications companies and enforcement agencies locally and overseas to improve information sharing and coordinate action against fraud syndicates.
On prevention, the SemakMule Portal had recorded more than 77 million visitors as at September 2026, reflecting greater public awareness of checking suspicious accounts before conducting transactions.
Saifuddin added that Malaysia was strengthening international cooperation through Interpol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Asean Cybercrime Cooperation Programme to tackle cross-border scams.