KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has recorded a 306 per cent increase in losses due to commercial crime, reaching RM256.1 million in the first 10 months of this year.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said: "The increase involves 2,260 cases recorded, compared to 1,962 cases in the same period last year.
"This represents a 15.19 per cent rise in commercial crime cases this year compared to 2023," he told reporters at the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), here, yesterday.
Jauteh added that cybercrime cases, particularly online fraud, contributed to this surge.
"These include 638 cases of telecommunications (phone scams) and 485 cases involving online purchases," he said.
Jauteh stated that the department was committed to raising awareness of commercial crime through in-person campaigns and ongoing social media efforts.
He advised the public to be more vigilant and aware of current commercial crime trends to avoid becoming fraud victims.
"People should not be easily swayed by uncertain and suspicious offers," he added.