Home Ministry reports massive online scam losses, details partial recovery, victim profiles, and ongoing investigations under new Penal Code sections
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded RM542 million in online scam losses in 2025, with RM6.7 million successfully returned to victims, according to the Home Ministry’s written parliamentary reply dated Tuesday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the RM6.7 million refers strictly to cases in which investigations have been completed and the money returned to victims.
“It is different from the total losses throughout 2025, which stands at RM542 million. That figure represents losses based on complaints lodged by victims and the data is what we have compiled.”
He said authorities intercepted RM34 million before it moved through multiple transaction layers, but stressed that saving and returning are different because investigations are ongoing.
From RM17.5 million seized, RM6.7 million has been fully returned to victims.
“The money did not have the chance to move through layer after layer of transfers. For that, we used sections 424A, 424B and 424C (of the Penal Code).”
He was replying to Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong), who sought statistics on individuals charged or convicted under the newly introduced Penal Code subsections 424A to 424D targeting mule accounts, and the number of scam victims who recovered their money in 2024 and 2025.
Sections 424A to 424D of the Penal Code target the misuse and control of bank accounts and payment instruments linked to mule accounts and scam activities.
According to data presented, private sector workers made up the largest group of scam victims.
“Based on the profiles we compiled, the private sector recorded the highest number of victims, followed by the government sector at about 8%, students at 8%, most of whom provided their accounts to be used as mule accounts, businesspeople at 7.5% and pensioners at 7%.
“This profile helps us understand online crimes under e-financial categories, such as love scams, e-commerce scams, non-existent loans, non-existent investments and telecommunications-related crimes, so that investigative efficiency can be improved.”
A total of 51 cases were reported, of which 20 have been charged in court, three were classified as no further action, seven were closed and kept in file, and 21 are under investigation.
Section 424B has one case under investigation, Section 424C recorded 10 cases, all under investigation, and no reports or investigations were recorded under Section 424D as of the date of the reply.
“If asked whether these figures are something to be proud of, certainly not. This performance serves as an indicator in cases of this nature.”
