A TOTAL of RM6.7 million linked to mule account scam cases was successfully recovered and returned to victims in 2025 following enforcement action by the authorities, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the amount consisted of funds seized and frozen during investigations into mule account-related scams before being returned to victims.
“For 2025, the amount of victims’ money that was successfully recovered and returned is RM6.7 million,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Yeo Bee Yin (PH–Puchong) on how many scam victims had managed to recover their money in 2024 and 2025 with the assistance of the police.
Saifuddin explained that the figure differed from the total sums intercepted before being transferred through multiple layers of accounts, a common method used in mule account operations.
He said RM34 million had been successfully intercepted before further transfers could take place, while RM17.5 million was frozen during investigations.
“From the frozen funds, the amount that was cleanly returned to victims was RM6.7 million,” he said.
He attributed the improved recovery outcome to the National Scam Response Centre operating on a 24-hour basis, supported by increased staffing involving police officers and representatives from financial institutions.
However, Saifuddin acknowledged that the recovery rate remained unsatisfactory, adding that the government was examining international best practices to strengthen investigative processes and asset recovery mechanisms.
Yeo also sought clarification on enforcement under newly introduced Penal Code provisions targeting mule account activities, namely Sections 424A to 424D.
Saifuddin said 51 cases had been reported under Section 424A, with 20 cases charged in court, three classified as no further action, seven kept under monitoring, and 21 still under investigation.
One case had been recorded under Section 424B and remained under investigation, while 10 cases were reported under Section 424C, all of which were still being investigated.
No cases had been recorded under Section 424D.
He explained that Section 424A covers offences involving the possession or control of another person’s payment instrument or bank account without lawful authority or legitimate purpose.
Section 424B addresses the act of providing such access to another person, while Section 424C relates to unauthorised transactions involving one’s own or another person’s account, and Section 424D provides definitions relevant to these provisions.
Meanwhile, Parliament was also told that most victims involved in mule account cases came from the private sector, based on profiling conducted by the authorities.
“The data we collected shows that the largest number of victims come from the private sector,” Saifuddin said.
The demographic was followed by government sector employees, who accounted for about eight per cent of cases, while students also made up eight per cent.
“These students mostly allow their banking accounts to be used as mule accounts,” he said.
Saifuddin added that retirees represented seven per cent of victims, while business owners accounted for 7.5 per cent.
“These are all the victim profiles that we have observed and studied to better understand those involved in online crimes,” he said.
He said the cases spanned multiple categories, including electronic financial crimes, love scams, e-commerce fraud, non-existent loans, fake investment schemes and telecommunications-related crimes.
The data, he said, was compiled to enhance the authorities’ efficiency and capability in resolving such cases.
“We compile this data so that it can help us improve our efficiency and capability in resolving cases,” he said.
Saifuddin also noted that Malaysia was drawing lessons from regional best practices in combating online crime.
“Singapore faces the same problem as us. In terms of the number of online fraud cases, it is similar to ours, and the trend is also rising,” he said.
He added that Asean countries regularly engaged in discussions to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation in addressing online crimes.
“We compare Singapore’s experience with ours, and there are cases we can learn from each other. This is an ongoing practice among Asean countries,” he said. - January 27, 2026
