PONTIAN District Police have received 1,427 reports related to commercial crime this year, opening 440 investigation papers involving total losses amounting to RM10,508,762.67.
District Police Chief Superintendent Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said online phone-scam cases recorded the highest increase, rising by nearly 47 per cent with losses reaching RM2.2 million compared with 2024.
“This shows how weak public awareness is, reflecting how easily people are deceived and how unaware they are of the warnings or preventive steps they should take,” he said in a statement on Friday.
A total of 209 investigation papers were opened for scams involving losses of RM3,577,783.43. Online purchasing fraud accounted for 85 cases with losses of RM430,491.05, while non-existent investment schemes caused losses amounting to RM5,327,561.95.
Hadzrat said the primary factor drawing victims into such frauds is the lure of high returns promised by scammers.
He added that psychological manipulation remains central to these schemes, with fraudsters relying on threats and persuasive language to pressure victims into making rash decisions.
He noted that many victims fail to conduct the most basic checks, such as verifying the status of investment companies, phone numbers or bank accounts with authorised sources including the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia or the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
“Emotional factors and life pressures, financial problems, the urge to find side income or the desire to become rich quickly are among the reasons victims are easily deceived.
“In addition, the lack of self-control and the fear triggered during phone-scam incidents cause victims to panic and follow the scammer’s instructions without thinking,” he said. - December 12, 2025
