KUCHING, Mar 25: The total losses from commercial fraud cases from January 1 to March 23, 2024 in Sarawak saw an increase compared to the same period last year.
According to Sarawak Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, losses for this year’s period amounted to RM20.1 million, in contrast to RM15 million recorded in 2023.
“This indicates a rise in losses of RM5.1 million, equivalent to 34 percent,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters here today.
However, the number of fraud cases decreased from 552 in 2023 to 451 in 2024 for the same period, marking a decline of 101 cases.
The most reported fraud cases in Sarawak are related to e-commerce, totaling 141 cases with losses of RM1.32 million, investment scams with 52 cases (RM11 million), and nonexistent loan scams with 49 cases (RM378,000).
“For the period from January 1 to March 23, 2024 a total of 193 individuals were arrested,” he added. – TVS