Cyber crime: Higher losses despite drop in cases

KUALA LUMPUR: Cyber crime or online fraud incurred higher losses, from RM1.7bil in 2012 to RM1.8bil, despite a drop in cases, from 18,386 to 16,661, in the same period.

Commercial Crimes deputy director (operation and intelligence) Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said the number of cases, despite recording a drop, was still high and attributed this to, among others, greed.

“In fact, there are people who still believe in the capability of “bomoh” (shaman or spiritual medicine man) to treat illnesses, as well as personal problems, that they are willing to give their money and jewellery,” he told Bernama.

He said despite the police and the media frequently highlighting about online syndicates, many people were still cheated by the love scam and parcel scam on the Internet.

“They did not realise they were being cheated and were willing to pay to get the love and the parcel,” he added.

Abdul Jalil said victims became excited when their new Facebook friends offered them gifts and were willing to pay a huge amount, like for Customs fee, just to get the gifts from the friends, who were actually syndicate members.

“If they (victims) doubt the Facebook friends, they should have asked for their friends’ passport number for reference to the Customs Department,” he added.

He said most of the cyber crime victims were women.

Sourse: thestar.com.my