KUALA LUMPUR: Scam victims "invested" some RM405.1 million in non-existent schemes in the first seven months of the year, police data has revealed.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said that the nearly half a billion ringgit in losses involved 3,293 cases.
The amount of money lost to scammers already exceeds the overall amount of RM217.9 mil recorded in 2022 involving 3,294 cases.
Last year, a total of 5,554 cases were recorded involving RM475.4 million in losses.
Ramli said the highest number of cases were recorded in Selangor (709), involving RM115.5 million.
"This is followed by Kuala Lumpur (455 cases, RM85.2 million), Johor (368 cases, RM31.3 million), Penang (241 cases, RM42.9 million) and Perak (235 cases, RM32 million).
"Negri Sembilan recorded 191 cases involving RM13 million in losses, Melaka (187 cases, RM18.1 million), Pahang (187 cases, RM8.2 million), Kedah (174 cases, RM11.1 million) and Sabah (173 cases, RM17.1 million)," he told Berita Harian today (Augh 3).
Sarawak recorded 135 cases involving RM16.1 million in losses, Terengganu (109 cases, RM10.2 million), Kelantan (90 cases, RM3.8 million) dan Perlis (39 cases, RM509,000).
Ramli said scams involving non-existent investments were probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
"The outcome of investigations depends on the statements provided and the Deputy Public Prosecutor will decide whether a person is charged under Section 420 or other sections of the law.
He said those behind the scams can also be charged under Section 137 of the Financial Services Act for illegal deposit-taking and other sections of the law related to owning mule accounts.
Ramli also said many cases were classified as "No Further Action" cases as they involved civil suits or came under the jurisdiction of other authorities.