Considered Malaysian news, analysis and opinion.
ASEAN police forces are intensifying cross-border cooperation and developing specialized training to combat sophisticated online scam networks that have relocated to new hubs across the region, costing victims billions annually.
Six foreign nationals—five Chinese citizens and one Taiwanese man—were fined RM9,000 each by a magistrate's court after admitting guilt in orchestrating an online romance fraud targeting their compatriots across Asia.
Online scams cost Malaysians RM2.97 billion in 2025, nearly double the previous year's RM1.57 billion. Investment fraud accounted for almost half the losses as cybercriminals refine tactics.