Commercial crime arrests and prosecutions rise despite lower financial losses

THE nation recorded an increase in arrests and prosecutions linked to commercial crime during the first three months of the year, signalling intensified enforcement efforts against fraud syndicates and financial scams nationwide.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said 7,190 individuals had been arrested by March this year compared with 7,084 during the corresponding period last year, representing an increase of 1.5 per cent or 106 people.

Rusdi said the number of court charges filed also rose significantly, reaching 5,140 cases compared with 4,525 previously.

“Throughout the three-month period, JSJK received 64,643 police reports compared with 57,260 reports in 2025,” he told Sinar Harian.

Despite the increase in reported cases, arrests and prosecutions, Rusdi said overall financial losses linked to commercial crimes had declined slightly.

He said losses recorded this year stood at RM764 million compared with RM787 million during the same period last year.

Rusdi stressed that JSJK would not compromise with any individual or group involved in fraudulent activities, particularly scams targeting the public.

“Contact the National Scam Response Centre immediately through the 997 hotline if you become a victim or have any information relating to online fraud crimes,” he said.

The senior police official also warned members of the public against becoming involved in scam syndicates as so-called “account mules”, call operators or facilitators, stressing that such roles constituted serious criminal offences.

Authorities have repeatedly cautioned that organised online fraud operations increasingly rely on individuals who knowingly or unknowingly allow their bank accounts, phone numbers or identities to be used in illicit financial transactions. - May 10, 2026