KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — A total of 563 cases of non-existent loan fraud were reported in January and February this year, involving losses of over RM5.3 million, says Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din.
A total of 545 people were arrested during the period, he said, adding that 3,183 people were arrested for similar offences last year, and 3,092 individuals in 2020.
“Based on records, a total of 5,723 criminal cases were recorded in 2020 involving losses of RM60.2 million and last year, the number of cases decreased to 4,788 cases with losses of RM50.6 million.
“The modus operandi of the fraud syndicate is to advertise their services through social media such as WhatsApp, offering low-interest rates as well as a fast approval process to deceive victims,” he said in a statement here.
He said victims would be asked to make a number of payments for various reasons including legal fees, agreement fees, insurance fees, Inland Revenue Board fees before the loan was approved, but after the payments were made, victims would still not receive the promised amount.
Mohd Kamarudin advised members of the public to remain vigilant and not be deceived by such offers online.
“People also need to be physically present at a licensed banking or financial institution to apply for a loan,” he said, adding that blacklisted bank accounts or telephone numbers could be checked at http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/, and advice or further information sought by contacting the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-26101559 or 03-26101599.
— Bernama
