KUCHING: Cyber scams continued to tighten their grip on Sarawak, driving commercial crime cases up by almost 42 per cent in the first five months of this year and leaving victims poorer by more than RM71 million.
The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) has recorded 2,134 cases between Jan 1 and May 31 this year, compared with 1,505 cases during the same period in 2025 — an increase of 629 cases or 41.79 per cent.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the sharp rise reflected the growing threat posed by commercial crime, particularly offences committed through digital platforms, which have become one of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement.
“Online scams remained the biggest contributor to the increase, with syndicates employing a wide range of tactics to lure unsuspecting victims.
“Among the most common were e-commerce scams, bogus investment schemes, non-existent loan offers, fake job opportunities and phone scams.
“Syndicates are employing a wide range of tactics to deceive victims, including manipulating emotions, promising lucrative returns within a short period and impersonating authorities or legitimate companies,” he said during the Sarawak Contingent police headquarters’ (IPK) Monthly Assembly today.
The financial toll also continued to climb, with commercial crime victims in Sarawak losing RM71.1 million during the period, up from RM56 million in the corresponding period last year — an increase of RM15.1 million or 26.96 per cent.
Although e-commerce scams recorded the highest number of reports at 443 cases, involving losses of RM8.1 million, investment scams inflicted the heaviest financial damage.
Mohamad Zainal said police recorded 271 investment scam cases, but victims collectively lost RM32.2 million, making it the costliest category of commercial crime.
“Non-existent loan scams accounted for 352 cases involving losses of RM2.3 million, while phone scams recorded 132 cases with losses amounting to RM8 million.
“Fake job offer scams claimed another 137 victims, resulting in losses of RM1.9 million,” he said.
The CCID had stepped up enforcement efforts against commercial and cybercrimes, leading to the arrest of 958 suspects so far this year, all of whom have been charged in court.
Among the department’s most notable successes was the dismantling of an online scam calling centre syndicate following the arrest of five local men, aged between 23 and 41.
The syndicate targeted victims in Singapore and Australia by creating fake social media profiles before offering non-existent drop shipping jobs and tricking victims into making payments.
He stated that this case demonstrates how scam syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated, operating across borders while exploiting technology and psychological tactics to deceive victims.
“Hence, enforcement efforts, public awareness and international cooperation must continue to be strengthened to curb these crimes,” he said.
