PEOPLE in Melaka have lost more than RM47.3 million to cybercrime syndicates in the first nine months of this year, amid a sharp rise in online scams targeting unsuspecting victims.
According to statistics from the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), 1,369 cybercrime cases were reported between January and September 2025 — a 44.41 per cent increase, or 421 more cases, compared with 948 cases during the same period last year.
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said Melaka Tengah had been identified as the state’s “cybercrime hotspot”, recording 834 cases or 60.92 per cent of the total, with losses amounting to RM32.8 million.
“Alor Gajah recorded 330 cases (24.11 per cent) with RM9.7 million in losses, while Jasin reported 205 cases (14.97 per cent) and losses of RM4.6 million,” he said during the Melaka Police Town Hall Discussion 2025 titled ‘Scammer Tak Kenal Kesian Duit Kita Jadi Sasaran’ yesterday.
He noted that Melaka Tengah saw the sharpest increase, with cases nearly doubling from 442 last year to 834 this year.
“Jasin also recorded a rise from 153 to 205 cases, while Alor Gajah saw a slight decline from 353 to 330 cases,” he added.
Dzulkhairi said online purchase scams remained the most common type of cyber fraud, with 393 cases reported — a 54.7 per cent increase from 254 last year.
“This was followed by non-existent investment schemes with 272 cases (up 8.4 per cent), fake loans with 227 cases (up 58.7 per cent), and fraudulent job offers with 220 cases (up 115.7 per cent). Phone scams accounted for 196 cases, while love or parcel scams recorded 37, and impersonation scams rose from 17 to 24 cases,” he said.
He added that fake investment schemes caused the highest financial losses, totalling RM27.5 million, followed by phone scams (RM10.7 million) and online purchase scams (RM3 million).
“Most victims were deceived through fake messages, calls, or social media links promising high returns or attractive deals. Scammers often impersonate job agents, investors, friends, or even authorities,” he said.
Dzulkhairi warned that cybercriminals are also employing new tactics, including sending digital wedding invitation cards via WhatsApp containing malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files.
“Once downloaded, the scammer can hack the victim’s data and bank information without their knowledge,” he said.
He added that the police will expand such town hall sessions across the state to raise awareness, especially among students and young people who are most at risk of falling prey to cyber scams. - October 24, 2025
