Latest news with #CommercialCrimeInvestigationDepartment
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Kelantan loan shark ring busted in Op Vulture raids
KOTA BARU: Police have crippled an illegal moneylending syndicate following a series of raids under Op Vulture targeting loan shark activities involving threats and property damage in Kelantan. State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation, jointly conducted by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the state contingent and the Kota Baru district, was held from July 17 to 22. He added that the two separate raids around Kota Baru led to the arrest of five suspects, aged between 25 and 39, believed to be involved in criminal intimidation and vandalism linked to unlicensed moneylending activities. "The suspects are believed to have carried out acts such as splashing red paint on victims' houses, pasting threatening notes, smashing windows with stones and locking the victims' gates as a form of harassment and pressure," he said. Mohd Yusoff said the first suspect was nabbed on July 23 during a raid in Pasir Tumboh near Kubang Kerian. "This was followed by the arrest of four more suspects on July 25 in connection with a paint-splashing incident in Pasir Hor," he added. During the operations, he said police have seized 34 items and they included red paint, pens, threat notes, clothing, face masks, mobile phones, and motorcycles believed to have been used in the crimes. "Early investigations revealed that the suspects were linked to at least nine cases of criminal damage across Kota Baru, Tumpat and Tanah Merah districts," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Sections 427 and 506 of the Penal Code for mischief and criminal intimidation. "All five suspects have been remanded to assist in further investigations," he added. Mohd Yusoff advised the public not to seek loans through unlicensed sources, including those offered on social media and unverified applications. He urged borrowers to verify lenders through official channels and conduct financial transactions only with licensed institutions. He also reminded the public not to accept payments for carrying out red paint attacks or other intimidation acts, as even being hired for such activities constitutes a criminal offence. "The police will not compromise with anyone who attempts to instil fear in the public for personal gain. "Any suspicious activity should be reported to the nearest police station or through our official channels," he added.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Scam response centre gets major upgrade to fight menace
KUALA LUMPUR: With scam-related losses climbing to RM1.5 billion and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) fielding up to 500 calls a day, the government is ramping it up with a major operational upgrade. In September, the NSRC will relocate to a larger, purpose-built facility in Cyberjaya. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said the move will allow the centre to function more effectively with increased staffing and better support mechanisms. 'Alongside enforcement improvements and legislative amendments, public awareness programmes will be intensified to address the increasingly complex nature of scams,' he said during a press conference yesterday. Saifuddin said the new facility offers a more spacious, accurate and conducive working environment which will allow the centre to centralise its key operations. He added that the premises will be equipped with all necessary components, including a physical complaints counter. 'Currently, NSRC operations are supported by the police and other partner agencies. In the initial phase, 40 personnel from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department will be assigned to the centre. We are aware of the staffing shortage within the commercial crime unit, but we are making use of internal resources as a temporary measure.' He added as of now, 18 officers are handling calls simultaneously, and this number will be increased in stages to meet growing demand. 'The move will also involve the addition of 139 officers and greater inter-agency collaboration. At present, the centre operates with four core agencies but two more – the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Securities Commission Malaysia – will soon come on board.' Saifuddin said the government amended several laws last year, including introducing Sections 424A and 424B in the Penal Code to increase penalties – with fines raised from RM1,000 to RM10,000. 'In the past, only an inspector could freeze an account under the Criminal Procedure Code, but now a sergeant has that authority. We've simplified the process,' he added. Saifudin highlighted that the centre's mechanisms will also be improved, including the ability to handle calls in four major languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil – to better serve the public. He said complaints received by NSRC fall into two categories: general inquiries and real scam cases, the latter involving financial fraud, such as online scams, phishing or malware. 'The pattern of victims includes pensioners who have lost their retirement savings and working professionals. These are real financial crimes affecting everyday Malaysians. The centre operates 24/7 to respond to public complaints but the convention enables 24/7 cooperation at the international level, facilitating intelligence exchange when cross-border incidents occur.' He also announced that Malaysia is set to sign the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime in Vietnam at the end of October, a move that will strengthen real-time information sharing between countries. Saifuddin added that the upcoming Asean Ministerial Meeting on security in September will list online scams as one of its 10 key agenda items, with emphasis on capacity building, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among member states. 'We will also intensify awareness campaigns as cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Enforcement, prevention and legislative updates must go hand in hand to ensure our efforts to combat scams and fraudulent activities are truly effective.'
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Businessman loses RM1.5mil to online investment scam
SEREMBAN: Another victim has fallen prey to a non-existent online investment scam, losing nearly RM1.5mil after being promised unusually high returns. Nilai OCPD Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said the victim, a businessman in his 50s, lodged a report on Monday (July 21) after realising that he had been duped. "The victim, in his report, said that he had been contacted by an individual in late April asking if he was keen to invest in an online investment scheme. "The victim, after being told that the returns were unusually high, agreed to download an application on his mobile phone so he could invest," he said in a statement. Supt Abdul Malik said the victim then transferred the cash into seven bank accounts through 15 transactions. He said the victim only realised that he had been conned when he was unable to withdraw his profits. "He was told that he would have to make additional payments if he wished to do so," he said, adding that the victim lodged a report at the Pantai station. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. He advised the public to always check with official sources such as Bank Negara before investing in any scheme, especially those that promise unusually high returns. The public can also call the Commercial Crime Investigation Department Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599, he added.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Manager loses over RM260k in WhatsApp stock scam
JOHOR BARU: A company manager lost RM262,669, supposedly after falling victim to an online stock investment scam conducted through WhatsApp. Seri Alam police chief Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the police received a report on the incident yesterday after the 39-year-old victim realised he had been cheated. 'The victim said the incident began last April when he came across a stock investment advertisement on WhatsApp that promised lucrative returns within a short period,' he said in a statement, Bernama reported. 'The victim made 16 transactions into two different bank accounts between April 25 and July 4, amounting to a total of RM262,669.' He said the victim was later asked to make an additional payment purportedly for the withdrawal of investment profits, but no returns were received. He added that the victim realised he had been scammed after his efforts to recover the investment money failed. 'Initial investigations using the Semak Mule platform by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) found that one of the bank accounts used in the transactions had a prior police report linked to an investment fraud case,' he said. The police will also carry out additional investigations into the use of mule accounts and take appropriate action against the involved account holders. Supt Mohd Sohaimi urged the public to exercise caution with investment schemes that promise high returns in a short time and to verify the legitimacy of companies through the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Semak Mule portal before making any transactions. The public is also warned against sharing personal or banking information with unknown parties and to stay informed about commercial crime tactics via CCID's social media channels.
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Man with disability scammed RM523,350 in online job fraud
GEORGE TOWN: A 45-year-old man with disability who works as a cake maker at a local bakery here has fallen victim to an online job scam, losing a total of RM523,350. The Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the northeast district police headquarters is investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number in early December last year and became acquainted with a woman who offered him a job selling children's toys via TikTok. He said the victim was promised profits of 10 to 15 per cent. "The victim agreed and was asked to pay upfront for goods ordered by customers. "Between Dec 18, last year and July 14 this year, he made 41 money transfers totalling RM523,350 from his account to five different bank accounts via cash deposit machines (CDM). "However, he did not receive any profits and was repeatedly asked for additional payments," he said in a statement today.
