Communications Ministry: M’sians Lost RM600 MILLION to Scams & Other Cyber Crimes Last Year

The Communications and Digital Ministry has revealed that approximately RM600 million in losses were recorded throughout 2022 as a result of scams and other cyber crimes in Malaysia.

Its Deputy Minister, Teo Nie Ching asserted that the problem of cyber crime in our country is quite serious and that the ministry will focus on educating the public to become more digitally literate and not become victims.

According to BERNAMA, among the initiatives that the ministry is taking to educate the public is by working with social media platforms such as TikTok to promote a programme called “Stop For Three Seconds” in February and March 2023.

Teo elaborated, “The ‘three seconds’ here is to help the community to think first whether any information received is authentic or not.”

Besides that, social media platforms will also help promote the National Scam Response Centre’s (NSRC) 997 hotline. A government initiative to help victims of cyber crime to prevent losses, the hotline is still relatively unknown by the community.

The Deputy Minister stressed, “Thus far, the 997 hotline operates 12 hours daily and it is a one-stop centre comprising representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, private banks, MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), and the Royal Malaysia Police, who will do their best to immediately stop the flow of victims’ money.”

“KKD wants to help the victims because we know if we don’t act quick enough, even though the person may eventually be caught but the victims won’t be able to get their money back.”

So, what do you guys think of the initiatives by KKD against scams and other cyber crimes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Also read: M’sians Warned Against Downloading Apps Operated by Loan Sharks