Kuala lumpur: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has officially assumed leadership of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) operations, effective immediately, as part of intensified efforts to combat the growing threat of online financial fraud and scams.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the matter today, stating that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has endorsed PDRM’s appointment to lead the NSRC, given the alarming rise in financial scams nationwide. He mentioned that the NSRC previously operated as a collaborative effort between the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC), PDRM, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), without a clearly designated lead agency.
Saifuddin highlighted that the NSRC’s 997 hotline receives nearly 500 calls daily, with total losses reaching RM1.6 billion according to the latest data from the National Social Council. He shared this information with reporters after attending the Home Ministry’s (KDN) monthly assembly, where KDN secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay were also present.
The Home Minister further explained that the NSRC’s operations will now be managed by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), with plans to create 139 new positions to support the centre’s expansion. A new location for the NSRC will also be identified to replace the current office at BNM in Kuala Lumpur. Coordination on staffing and logistics is currently underway between the KDN secretary-general and the Public Service Department.
Additionally, Saifuddin noted that PDRM will review existing regulations and the role of financial institutions to strengthen the national response to online financial fraud. The priority is to ensure quick action, such as freezing fraudulent accounts before funds disappear and, if possible, returning stolen money. The NSRC, established on October 14, 2022, serves as a centralised platform to coordinate rapid response to online scams, enabling faster tracking of stolen funds and enforcement actions against cybercriminals.