Online fraud in Malaysia surged dramatically in 2024, with total losses reaching RM1.57 billion, an 84.46% increase compared to RM851.12 million in 2022, according to Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) data.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Negara that 35,368 cases were reported last year, up 38.81% from 25,479 cases in 2022.
He said between January and July this year alone, 31,949 cases were recorded, with total losses nearing RM1.53 billion.
From 2022 to July 2025, PDRM investigated 127,291 cases, with 61,437 resolved, representing an overall resolution rate of 48.26%.
To address the threat, Saifuddin said the government is strengthening the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), launched in October 2022, which now operates as a 24-hour one-stop centre to tackle financial scams by swiftly freezing fraudulent accounts.
The Prime Minister has since approved placing NSRC under the Home Ministry, led by PDRM.
On international cooperation, Malaysia is moving toward joining the Budapest Convention and signing the UN Cybercrime Convention to improve cross-border collaboration on cybercrime investigations, evidence-sharing, and extradition. Malaysia is also working with Interpol, the FBI, and the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE).
Legislative measures include amendments to the Penal Code (Act 574) with new Sections 424A–424D, covering offences involving misuse of payment instruments such as ATM cards, credit cards, and e-wallets. The Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593) now includes Section 116D, granting police power to freeze and seize accounts suspected of fraud.
A dedicated Cybercrime Bill is also being drafted, while new PDRM units such as the Digital Forensic Investigation Unit and the Police Cyber Investigation Response Centre (PCIRC) aim to enhance detection and enforcement.
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