KUALA LUMPUR: The National Scam Response Centre had received 71,631 calls on online scams between Oct 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2024, involving a total loss of RM245 million.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said of the total, the police had opened 8,754 investigation papers under Section 420 of the Penal Code, while 64 investigation papers were opened under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), along with the freezing of RM69 million for investigation purposes due to money laundering offences.
She added that investment fraud, ponzi schemes, and online scams were being monitored by various agencies depending on the specific offences falling under their jurisdiction.
"Under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry, various enforcement measures are taken by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)."
Lim said this in response to a question from Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (Barisan Nasional-Pekan) in Dewan Rakyat today.
Sh Mohmed had asked the ministry to explain BNM's effectiveness in detecting and recovering assets or proceeds involved in investment fraud, ponzi schemes and online scams.
She added that BNM collaborated with foreign authorities and bodies to conduct financial trail analysis or investigations into any fraudulent crimes and illicit financial schemes.
"BNM, SC, and other enforcement agencies, financial institutions and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre had a strategic cooperation to ensure more effective enforcement against investment fraud syndicates through information sharing, and other intelligence activities.
"Those involved in money laundering activities will not only face imprisonment, but will also have their assets and proceeds obtained through illegal activities seized or forfeited under AMLATFPUAA.
"Between 2021 and 2023, for instance, the SC had taken action to seize funds amounting to RM116 million.
"BNM has also listed 497 entities under the Financial Consumer Alert List as of 2023," she added.