In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid warns of escalating online fraud threat, revealing 8,014 charges recorded by May 2026, already surpassing last year's total. The government is advancing comprehensive cybercrime legislation.
Malaysia's police have submitted an Interpol Red Notice application to locate activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, who fled the country facing charges under the Penal Code related to allegations of damaging a sacred Hindu symbol.
Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has launched 'Jom Beli Selamat!' campaign with e-commerce platform Shopee and the Royal Malaysian Police to combat a sharp surge in online fraud, which has cost citizens over RM4.54 billion since 2024.
Malaysia's government has created a special cross-agency committee to combat surging online scam crimes, enlisting support from banking, telecommunications, and social media platforms for the first time.
Myanmar authorities arrested four undocumented Chinese nationals in Muse Township for operating an online scam and illegal gambling scheme, seizing 34 phones and multiple computers used in the fraud network.
Malaysia's online fraud losses have surged dramatically, climbing from RM1.57 billion in 2024 to RM2.97 billion in 2025. Investment scams remain the primary culprit, while the government's scam response centre reports improving recovery rates.
India's Home Ministry has submitted a report detailing its proactive monitoring of Telegram, citing widespread use of the platform for sharing child sexual abuse material and conducting financial scams. The government has received over 688,000 fraud complaints linked to the app since 2023.
Ho Chi Minh City police have broken up criminal networks trafficking foreign nationals into Vietnam to establish online fraud operations, resulting in 26 arrests and the seizure of computers and mobile phones across eight cases.
Perak police have arrested three individuals, including two Chinese citizens, suspected of operating a supply chain that equipped online scam syndicates with critical communication devices.
ASEAN police forces are intensifying surveillance and cross-border cooperation to tackle a surge in transnational online scam operations that are migrating to new havens across Southeast Asia.
Interpol's latest assessment reveals cybercrime now constitutes roughly a third of all recorded offences in several Asian countries, with online scams emerging as the most prevalent and costly criminal activity threatening the region.
Malaysia reported RM2.97 billion in online scam losses during 2025, nearly double the previous year's RM1.57 billion. The 87 percent surge in cases reflects escalating cybercrime tactics exploiting digital platforms.
Romance scams have become one of the world's fastest-growing online frauds, with criminals using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities and extract millions from unsuspecting victims across multiple continents.