Over 6,000 fraudulent online posts removed since 2023, says Police

MORE than 6,000 pieces of fraudulent online content have been taken down from social media platforms between 2023 and September this year, the Royal Malaysia Police confirmed.

Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, said the removals were carried out following 24-hour monitoring by the Police Cyber Investigation Response Centre (PCIRC) under Bukit Aman’s Cyber, Tactical and Technical Division.

“PCIRC monitors scam content and advertisements around the clock. Since 2023, a total of 6,184 items have been identified and removed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) upon PCIRC’s request,” he told a press conference at the CCID office in Menara KPJ here on Thursday.

Of the total, Rusdi said 1,073 items were linked to investment scams, 4,557 to loan frauds, and 554 to the sale or rental of automated teller machine (ATM) cards.

“For this year alone, 3,179 pieces of scam content have been taken down between January and September,” he added.

Rusdi explained that PCIRC is responsible for monitoring, analysing, profiling, lodging police reports and conducting investigations into social media cases involving elements of fraud.

He urged the public to remain vigilant against the growing number of scams circulating on social media platforms. “Do not be easily deceived. Always verify with authorities such as the Securities Commission before making any investment,” he said.

On loan scams, Rusdi said victims are often instructed to make an advance payment before the so-called loan is approved. “Once the payment is made, the syndicate disappears,” he explained.

He also cautioned the public against lending or renting out their ATM cards to third parties. “This is an offence under Sections 424 and 137 of the Penal Code. Stern action will be taken against any individual involved,” he warned. - October 30, 2025