KUANTAN: Pahang police has expressed concern over the number of commercial cases, especially scams, reported in the first month of this year with losses amounting to RM2.6 million.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said 83 percent of the 119 cases reported in January involved online fraud that caused victims to lose their hard earned savings.
"The police are extremely concerned with the number of cases and I personally am upset with individuals from all walks of life, from professionals and government servants to students becoming victims, while the scammers laugh all the way to the bank.
"There was a teacher losing RM233,480 of her husband's pension savings and in another case, a nurse had to borrow more than RM150,000 from a bank after being duped by Macau scam syndicate members.
The victims were naïve and trusted the callers who claimed that they were linked to criminal cases," he told reporters at the Pahang police contingent headquarters here today.
Ramli was met after witnessing the handing-over of duties ceremony between outgoing Pahang deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Razak Mohd Yusoff to Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Noor Hisam Nordin, who will serve as the acting deputy police chief.
Ramli also said it was necessary for the public to be aware of the existence of various scam cases and not take it easy as anyone can become a victim if they let their guard down.
"There are various types of scams and the fraudsters are trying each and every tactic to trick the victims so we have to be prepared.
"While the department raises awareness on scams, I hope the public will be extra vigilant at all times especially when they receive calls from strangers or tempting job offers online.
"Scammers will also offer jobs as account mules with offers to pay between RM400 and RM500 to those who are prepared to open the bank accounts and if these account holders are brought to court, they will be punished for their action and face a bleak future with criminal records," he said.
On Razak's retirement, Ramli said the police force will be missing a 'daring fighter' who is a recipient of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), the highest federal award in the country.
"He is the sole recipient of the SP award who is still in service and has spent more than 30 years of his service as a VAT 69 police commando. Razak played an important role when holding negotiations persuading the Al-Ma'unah militants to surrender in 2000," he said.
When asked about his plans after retirement, Razak said he plans to learn the Arabic language and write a book about his experience.
