SHAH ALAM: A total of 549 fraud and cheating cases have been recorded in Selangor since January, resulting in RM33.7mil in losses, say the police.

       Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) opened 405 investigation papers on online scam and cyber crimes while 144 other cases were non-online fraud cases.

       "Online and cyber crimes contributed to 73.8% of investigation papers opened by the department," he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 1).

       Several cases involved victims and companies suffering losses ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of ringgit after they were duped by scammers, Comm Arjunaidi said.

       "The victims were duped by scammers online and some even had their online banking details hacked by syndicates.

       "A company's account executive lodged a police report on Feb 22, claiming the company suffered RM2.9mil in losses.

       "It occurred when the company's email, which was used for Internet banking, was hacked. The cyber criminals sent an email to the bank, attaching forms with forged employer signatures, asking to change the online banking ID.

       "The bank approved the request without making further checks. As a result, RM2.9mil was transferred to 18 other accounts through 69 transactions," he said.

       In another case, a senior citizen was scammed from Dec 5 (last year) until Jan 24, he said.

       "The 71-year-old victim was fooled by a social media site on assets and wills.

       "The victim transferred RM6.3mil into two accounts via 50 transactions," he added.

       Comm Arjunaidi said besides lack of awareness and the attitude of the victims, the easiness of scammers opening bank accounts to be made mule accounts also contributed to the increase in cases.

       "It includes the ease of registering an individual's name at the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) before opening the mule bank account.

       "The mule accounts will then be used to transfer millions of ringgit in funds from the victim's account," he said.

       Comm Arjunaidi said cooperation from banks was needed in combating cyber crimes.

       "We urge the banks to improve their Internet banking security system so that it is not easily hacked by cyber criminals.

       "If there is any request to change user ID via email or other suspicious requests to change other online banking details, banks should double check with the account holder or company.

       "Banks should also have a stricter check-and-balance system for all e-banking matters to prevent rampant emergence of mule accounts," he said.

       Comm Arjunaidi advised the public to be more careful and not be duped by cyber criminals or scammers.

       "We advise the public not to let their account be used as mule accounts as it is against the law," he said.

       Comm Arjunaidi urged those with information on commercial crime cases to check at ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule or contact the CCID Scam Response Centre a 03-2610 1559/1599 or any nearest police station.