GEORGE TOWN: An average of three cyber crime cases are reported daily in Penang, police said today.
Official statistics, according to state police chief Datuk T. Narenasagaran, showed that for the first seven months of the year, there were 731 cases involving losses to the tune of RM20.63 million.
He said statistics also showed that there were 1,031 cases last year with losses amounting to RM29.69 million compared to 965 cases in 2017 with losses totalling RM19.34 million.
He said the cyber crime cases, which include Macau scam, love scam, e-financial fraud and e-purchase online, were "worrying and increasing trend".
"There was a 6.8 per cent increase in cases or 66 cases last year compared to 2017. The losses, however, recorded an increase of 53.5 per cent or RM10.3 million.
"For the first seven months of this year, we are already seeing 731 cases, or an average of three cases per day. Indeed, this is a worrying trend," he told newsmen at the state police headquarters here today.
Present were Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Penang chairman Datuk Seri Syed Jaafar Syed Ali and MCPF Malaysia exco Associate Professor Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy.
As such, Narenasagaran advised Penangites not to be easily duped by cyber crime syndicates, stressing that 99.9 per cent of messages or calls received asking for transfer of cash into another account should not be taken seriously.
"It is always almost to good to be true when you are told that you have won a certain amount of money or offered loan at a ridiculously low-interest rate.
"Under normal circumstances, you will not be told by the enforcement agencies that you are being investigated (in genuine cases) until you see the law enforcement authorities outside your gates.
"So, never ever part with your personal details through mere messages or calls," he said, adding that police have introduced the Infoline CCID at 013-2111222 or website ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule to enable the people to provide information, lodge complaints or enquire about anything concerning commercial crime.
Earlier, Narenasagaran announced the 5th International Security Seminar, which will be held on Sept 24 and 25, with the main focus on cybercrime.
Syed Jaafar said the seminar would feature nine distinguised speakers, including IFW Global co-founder and executive chairman Ken Gamble.
Gamble is one of five professional cybercrime investigators in the world, who has been consulted by an array of government, corporate and foreign-based law enforcement agencies.
Other speakers include Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Malaysia chapter president Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar as well as Narenasagaran and Sundramoorthy themselves.
