IGP Reveals Online Scam Losses Surge to RM 2.97 Billion in 2025
Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police has confirmed that online scam losses surged to RM 2.97 billion in 2025, marking another devastating year for Malaysian consumers and businesses. This figure represents a continued escalation from RM 1.57 billion in 2024, an increase of nearly 90 percent year-over-year.
The announcement underscores the scale of the scam crisis facing Malaysia. With over 74,000 reported cases in 2025 and an average of 140 scam attempts per Malaysian per year, online fraud has become one of the most pressing public safety issues in the country.
The RM 2.97 billion figure encompasses all categories of online fraud reported to the Royal Malaysia Police. Investment and cryptocurrency fraud remains the single largest contributor, accounting for nearly half of all losses. Macau Scam (authority impersonation), e-commerce fraud, romance scams, and job scams round out the top five categories.
The surge in losses is driven by several factors. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to create more convincing fake investment platforms, deepfake video calls, and cloned voice messages. Social media platforms continue to be primary channels for victim recruitment, with Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp the most commonly exploited.
How much did Malaysians lose to scams in 2025?
Malaysia's IGP confirmed that online scam losses reached RM 2.97 billion in 2025, up from RM 1.57 billion in 2024.
What is the most common type of scam in Malaysia?
Investment and cryptocurrency fraud is the most costly scam type, while e-commerce fraud and Macau Scam rank highest by number of reported cases.
How do I report a scam in Malaysia?
Call 997 (NSRC) for immediate response, lodge a police report, and verify suspicious accounts at semakmule.rmp.gov.my.
⚠ Red Flags
- !Unsolicited contact — receiving messages about investment opportunities, job offers, or prizes you did not apply for
- !Pressure to act fast — scammers create urgency by claiming limited-time offers or threatening legal action
- !Requests to transfer money — especially to personal bank accounts, crypto wallets, or unfamiliar platforms
- !Too-good-to-be-true returns — any investment promising guaranteed high returns with no risk is almost certainly a scam
- !Requests for OTP or banking credentials — no legitimate organisation will ever ask for your TAC, OTP, or online banking password
🛡 How to Protect Yourself
- 1Stop all communication with the suspected scammer immediately
- 2Do not transfer any more money under any circumstances
📞 How to Report
- 1Call 997 (National Scam Response Centre) immediately — they can freeze accounts within hours
- 2Lodge a police report at your nearest station
- 3Report the phone number or bank account via SemakMule at semakmule.rmp.gov.my
- 4Alert your bank to freeze your own accounts if you shared login credentials
Want to learn more?
Book a scam awareness workshop for your family, community group, or organisation.
View Anti-Scam Programme