PENANG recorded losses of more than RM112.9 million due to cybercrimes involving online financial fraud for the first six months of this year.
Acting Penang Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the total losses showed an increase of RM42.9 million compared to RM70.1 million recorded in the same period last year.
“For the period from January to yesterday, Penang police successfully carried out eight raids on call centre syndicates and arrested 75 individuals including 24 women, comprising 39 locals and 36 foreigners,” he told a press conference at the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters as reported by Bernama.
Mohd Alwi also advised the public not to be easily fooled by calls, messages or great offers, but rather to check and confirm with the authorities before taking any action.
In another development, Mohd Alwi said police were identifying a gang believed to have hired two men in their 20s, following their arrest in connection with a fire incident involving three terrace houses in Tasek Gelugor near here on June 24.
In addition, police were actively hunting for two suspects who opened fire on a four-wheel drive (4WD) driven by a man in front of a primary school in Sungai Nyior, near here on July 1. – July 18, 2025