KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has flatly rejected claims that the country has become a scammers' hub owing to inaction by the authorities, saying it is even pushing for laws to make property owners bear greater liability.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the department detained 2,163 suspects last year in 297 scam-related raids.
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"This year, we have already nabbed 1,068 suspects in 126 raids.
"To say we did not do anything to curb scams is irresponsible," he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Tuesday (Sept 24).
Additionally, he said, CCID is also pushing for a criminal liability law to be used on those who let out their premises to scammers.
"This way, we can prevent premises from being used as scam centres," he added.
A report on an online portal titled “Transnational crime in Southeast Asia: A growing threat to global peace and security" claims criminal networks built scam compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, and involved Malaysians in their operations.
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The article also claimed that Malaysia was a hub for scammers because there was no action by the authorities.
Comm Ramli said Malaysians' involvement in scams was typically a cross-border matter with scammers of various nationalities operating from different countries.
"It is a regional problem and not unique to Malaysia.
"In terms of human trafficking in the context of scam syndicates, some are classified as forced labour where the victims are lured or deceived into becoming scammers overseas," he added.
He said Bukit Aman accepted the fact that cybercrime is here to stay.
"Scammers operate around the globe, not exclusively in this region.
"As for Malaysia, historically, it is known for its strategic location for people across Asia to take advantage of, including illicit enterprises," he said.
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Comm Ramli said law enforcement agencies have made significant efforts to combat cybercrime.
"These operations are continuing, and intelligence, operations and investigations are being beefed up to meet current and future challenges," he added.
