Malaysia’s NSRC recovered RM34 million from scams in 2023, with RM6.7 million returned to victims, a major increase from the previous year’s efforts.
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities recovered RM34 million from scam activities last year, a significant increase from the RM508,479.39 recovered in 2022.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said RM6.7 million of that total has been returned to the victims.
He attributed the success to the 24-hour operation of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) and an increase in its staffing.
The recovery was made using Penal Code Subsections 424A, B and C, which prevented the illicit funds from being transferred further.
“Overall, according to the data we collected from the victims’ complaints, we recorded a total of RM542 million in losses from scam activities throughout last year,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a question on convictions under the new Penal Code subsections and money recovered for victims.
For Subsection 424A, 51 cases have been reported with 20 charged in court and three classified as no further action.
Under 424B there is one case still under investigation, while 424C has 10 cases all under investigation, with no reports under 424D.
The minister said private sector workers, civil servants, retirees, students and businessmen are among the most common scam victims.
The scams involve financial crimes like love scams, e-commerce fraud, non-existent loans, fake investments and telecommunications crimes.
The government also cooperates with ASEAN partners to find the best methods to deal with scam cases.
