RM120 million lost to scammers in Pahang over 3 years
KUANTAN: A whooping RM120 million has been lost to online scams in Pahang by 5,658 victims between 2022 and last year.
State Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang said, from the total number of victims, 310 were retired civil servants across Pahang who were duped of some RM21.5 million.
"In 2022, a total of 1,819 individuals became victims of online scams resulting in losses of RM35 million, followed by 1,994 victims the following year which saw RM46 million losses and last year 1,845 people fell victim with losses RM39 million.
"Eighty-seven retired civil servants fell victim in 2022 with losses amounting RM8.9 million followed by 108 people with RM3.7 losses in 2023 and 115 cases were recorded last year with RM8.9 losses," he said when replying to a question from appointed assemblyman Datuk Wong Tat Chee at the Pahang assembly sitting here today.
Wong had asked about the number of online scam victims over the past three years, the amount of losses and victims involving government retirees.
Meanwhile, in reply to a supplementary question from V. Arumugam (BN-Sabai) on the measures taken by the authorities, Sim said various efforts were done to raise public awareness.
"Talks and exhibitions to educate the public, including students, on tactics deployed by scammers were conducted at higher learning institutions and places of worship. The people must be extra vigilant as greed often sees them ending up as victims," he said.
Meanwhile, Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib said the caravan park proposed at Pantai Hiburan in Rompin is still in the discussion stages.
"It is developed by the Perbadanan Setiausaha Kerajaan (PSK) Pahang along with a private investor, Helmut Knaus KG Campingpark, and local consortiums. The project also involves the East Coast Economic Region Development Council.
"The Housing and Local Government Ministry has set aside RM500,000 for the Rompin district council to build 10 recreational vehicle (RV) plots at the proposed site," he said when replying to a question from appointed assemblyman Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly on the project status.
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