KUALA LUMPUR: A spike of 42.7 per cent was recorded in commercial crime cases resulting in losses amounting to RM92,135,144.65 in the first 15 days of 2024.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said 1,918 investigation papers were opened from Jan 1 until Jan 15, 2024.
"This is a significant increase as compared to the same period in 2023 which only involves 1,344 cases," he said in a press conference at the Menara KPJ, here.
He said online fraud cases continue to dominate the overall number of investigations, constituting the highest proportion.
"Throughout the study period, 86.2 per cent or 1,654 cases were online fraud.
"Compared to the same period the previous year, this marks a 53 per cent increase in cases recorded for this year.
"In terms of monetary loss, online fraud cases for Jan 1 to Jan 15, 2024, recorded a total loss of RM72,051,039.83.
"This value represents an 81 per cent increase compared to the losses recorded during the same period in 2023, which amounted to RM39,879,499.93."
Ramli highlighted the urgent need for more concerted efforts to combat commercial crime due to the increasing trend in both cases and monetary loss for the first 15 days of 2024.
"The police advises everyone in the community to collectively take action and participate in the prevention of commercial crime," he said.