Rise in e-commerce fraud with RM57.73 million losses this year

A total of 8,162 cases of e-commerce fraud with losses amounting to RM57.73 million had been reported nationwide this year as of Oct 31.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) investigating officer ASP Mohd Sa’adon Sabirin said reported e-commerce fraud has continued to increase as in 2018, only 3,318 cases were logged involving losses of RM22.39 million.

“The situation worsened in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, where 5,848 cases of e-commerce fraud were reported as more people started making purchases online.

“These statistics involve those who are cheated and file reports, but I believe that out there, there are still those who do not lodge police reports,” he said during a webinar session on e-commerce fraud organised by Bank Negara Malaysia last night.

Sa’adon said the total losses recorded under e-commerce fraud from 2018 until October this year was RM149 million.

He urged victims of e-commerce scams to lodge police reports to enable the collection of information and data related to the scammers for further action.

He said information such as telephone numbers and bank accounts received from fraud victim reports would be updated in the “Check Mule” application to enable the public to check on a seller’s information before making a transaction.

Meanwhile, Penang Companies Commission of Malaysia director Sazuree Shuib advised e-commerce merchants to register their businesses under SSM BizTrust, a platform developed to protect consumers and curb fraudulent activities by merchants offering products or services online.

He said as of Oct 31 this year, a total of 625,000 businesses had been registered under SSM BizTrust, but only 43,000 businesses are still active.

He said the free promotion for registering with Biz Trust is still available until Dec 31 for those conducting online trading.