Kuala lumpur: Losses resulting from online scams in 2025 reached RM2.97 billion, a massive increase of RM1.40 billion compared with RM1.57 billion the previous year, thus reflecting an increasingly worrying trend in cybercrime. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said that of the total, non-existent investment scams recorded the highest losses, amounting to RM1.47 billion.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a total of 66,204 online fraud cases were recorded in 2025, which is an 87 percent increase compared with 35,368 cases recorded in 2024. 'Phone scams remain the main threat, with 28,388 cases reported in 2025,' said Mohd Khalid in his speech at the launch of the 'Combat Scam: Two Teams, One Goal' campaign here today. Also present were Public Bank Berhad managing director and chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Tay Ah Lek, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, and Bukit Aman department directors.

Mohd Khalid emphasized that the figures recorded were not merely statistics but represented thousands of victims who had lost their sources of income and future due to being deceived by fraud syndicates. He highlighted that in today's rapidly expanding digital era, fraud syndicates are constantly refining their tactics and modus operandi by exploiting technological advances and the sophistication of modern communication platforms.

He stated that efforts in prevention, education, and cultivation of digital security awareness are now an urgent priority and need to be strengthened continuously. Mohd Khalid also welcomed the implementation of the PB Scam Rangers Programme, a strategic collaboration between the CCID and Public Bank Berhad described as a progressive initiative to strengthen financial literacy and cybersecurity awareness among the public.

'Through this approach, which focuses on public education, we can build a society that is more aware, knowledgeable, and resilient against various forms of scam manipulation methods,' he said.