SEREMBAN: There was a 35% increase in commercial crimes reported in Negri Sembilan in 2021 compared to 2020, but the total losses suffered by victims fell by more than half, says state police chief DCP Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop.

       DCP Mohamad said most of these cases involved online purchases (1,058), non-existent loan schemes (436), investment-related schemes (231), impersonation (200), Macau scams (134), fake job offers (122) and love scams (116).

       He then said that a total of 2,739 cases involving RM43mil in losses were reported in 2021 compared to 2,040 cases involving almost RM97mil in the previous year.

       The highest losses were reported from crimes involving online investment schemes totalling almost RM8.5mil, followed by online purchases (RM5.2mil) and Macau scams (RM4.9mil).

       He also said that the police made 1,265 arrests last year in connection with these cases compared to 1,223 in 2020.

       "People need to be extra careful, especially when buying stuff or dealing with others online. Always share information you have received online or calls you have received with family, friends and even the police to avoid getting scammed,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 5).