KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): Individuals lost RM4.92 billion to fraud in the Malaysia since 2013, according to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Between 2013 and Oct 11, 2017, a total of 2,590 complaints related to fraud were received, with more than 1.73 million individuals — locals and foreigners — who fell victim to scams, Nur Jazlan revealed in Parliament today.

These fraud cases include online purchase frauds (e-commerce), ‘African scam’ (love scams), online gambling and investment scams (get-rich-quick schemes), he added.

Nur Jazlan said while the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) pays attention to such fraudulent criminal cases which are “widespread and cause huge amounts of losses to the victims”, the general public are urged to be more vigilant and cautious to avoid falling victim.

“PDRM always focuses on criminal cases related to frauds. They have traced, apprehended and charged individuals guilty of these crimes, including those who gave these criminals access to their bank accounts to carry out these fraud enabling activities,” he said.

“These people use various modus operandi in their activities to deceive their victims, whether face-to-face or via online. This is why everyone needs to be careful and avoid taking part in any get-rich-quick schemes without running a background check on the service providers,” he added.

Nur Jazlan noted that a fraudulent case comes to light only when a police report is made, which is usually “after one to two years of investing”.

He was responding to a Parliamentary question by Mukah Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad Abdullah and Lanang MP Alice Lau on measures taken to address this issue.

“A report is made only after a scheme has been running for one to two years. This is because when an investor gets his or her return on investments, they would assume all is well. But when the payment stops, only then they feel something is amiss and lodge a police report,” Nur Jazlan said.

“The authorities will constantly monitor. If a case is made, the Ministry will also investigate. If the suspect is in the country, then he will be caught by our authorities. But if he or she is out of the country or the crime is committed overseas, then we will have to seek cooperation from foreign authorities,” he added.