ONLINE scams involving non-existent investments have cost Malaysians nearly RM800 million to date, raising serious concern within the Ministry of Communications, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching revealed on Saturday.
“According to Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) data as of last month, losses due to online fraud have amounted to RM799 million,” she said. “A vast majority of these cases involve fraudulent investment schemes, and this situation is deeply worrying.”
Teo was speaking at a press conference after officiating the *Karnival Kita MADANI X Program MADANI Rakyat* for Johor 2025.
In response to the growing threat, she announced that the Safe Internet Campaign would be expanded to more primary schools, vernacular schools, and public universities across the country by the end of the year. The campaign has already been implemented in nine primary schools.
“This campaign must be pursued more aggressively to educate the younger generation on safe and controlled digital environments,” she explained.
“At the primary level, the focus is on cyberbullying. In secondary schools, we emphasise personal data protection, while at secondary and university levels, we also address artificial intelligence misuse, such as deepfake threats.”
Teo added that the campaign would also target adults to raise awareness of the dangers posed by get-rich-quick schemes and fake investments proliferating on digital platforms.
MCMC Has Every Right to Summon Individuals for Investigation
Separately, Teo Nie Ching affirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has the authority to summon individuals for investigation upon receiving complaints.
“A paper will be opened and action taken based on the findings of the investigation,” she said, following reports that MCMC had summoned a social media influencer who offered to conduct a detailed background check (‘scrut’) on PKR Vice-President Nurul Izzah Anwar.
“Usually, if there is a complaint, MCMC will open a file to investigate, and the matter will then be handed to the relevant agency,” Bernama cited her saying today. “If they see a need to act, they have the right to do so.”
When asked about public criticism that the move was overly harsh, Teo responded, “I believe MCMC needs to explain why the individual was summoned, and normally, the case will be referred to the relevant agency to determine whether there is an offence.”
The influencer, identified as Aliff Ahmad, had reportedly been contacted by MCMC after stating he would investigate Nurul Izzah’s employment and income sources if a post received 20,000 shares on Facebook. - May 17, 2025
