Latest news with #NSRC
The Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
M'sia to ratify UN cyber pact
Fighting cybercrime: Saifuddin Nasution said the NSRC will be further empowered to tackle online scams. — Bernama Treaty will help address growing threats to cybersecurity MALAYSIA is set to ratify the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in October, the House was told. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was part of the effort to combat the growing threat of cybercrime, which is getting more sophisticated and creative. The convention is the first international treaty to address cybercrime by harmonising national laws, improving investigative techniques and increasing cooperation among nations. Saifuddin Nasution said the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) received an average of 500 calls a day from people reporting online scams. 'There is an increasing trend with regard to reports related to online scams and we have to respond to public complaints,' he said in reply to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar). Based on police records, Saifuddin said a total of 46,085 cybercrime reports were lodged last year with 49% of cases resolved. To further improve the battle against cybercrime, he said the NSRC was placed under the purview of the police, effective July. The NSRC comprises representatives from Bank Negara, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police, and will have its own office in Cyberjaya. 'At the behest of the Prime Minister, the Public Service Department has also agreed to consider creating 139 new posts for the centre,' he added. Saifuddin Nasution revealed that the ministry is currently reviewing cybercrime laws to expand the power of enforcement agencies, and to include provisions for real-time strategic data collection. 'Cybercrime is getting more threatening and creative. Our laws on cybercrime cannot remain static but dynamic,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
National scam centre gets over 500 calls a day, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government has taken several steps to improve cybersecurity, including by putting the police in charge of the NSRC. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) has been receiving over 500 calls a day on online scams as cybercrime continues to rise in Malaysia, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat today. He said the government had taken several steps to improve cybersecurity, including by putting the police in charge of the NSRC and amending laws to increase penalties for offences such as fraud linked to mule accounts and credit card abuse. 'Every day, the NSRC receives more than 500 calls. The trend is increasing. That is why the prime minister has agreed for the police to lead the centre,' Saifuddin said during the ministers' question time. He was responding to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar), who asked for the number of cybercrime cases reported in 2024 and the ministry's efforts to improve digital safety. Saifuddin said a total of 45,086 cybercrime cases were reported in 2024, with investigation papers opened under the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and laws against online gambling and crimes involving children. He said there were two categories of cybercrime: cyber-enabled crime which involves traditional crimes that become easier with technology like online fraud and the dissemination of pornographic material, and cyber-dependent crime which requires hacking and malware. He said the ministry had increased the fines for certain offences from RM1,000 to RM10,000, particularly to combat the use of mule accounts, where criminals use other people's e-wallets or credit cards to move money. 'We want to stop the flow of money. That's our priority,' he added. On global cooperation, Saifuddin said Malaysia was in the process of joining the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, to enable the exchange of information with international agencies. 'We are also strengthening enforcement by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the police,' he said. He said the NSRC would also operate around the clock as calls from victims are sometimes received after 10pm. To raise public awareness, he said the ministry had organised more than 10,000 programmes, including exhibitions and outreach campaigns. To a supplementary question by Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) on losses experienced by pensioners and the abuse of online platforms to sell fake products and pornographic material, Saifuddin said enforcement depends on which agency is involved. 'If it involves bank accounts, BNM will contact the banks to freeze them. People want their money returned. Our success rate is 49%, based on investigation papers opened and results delivered, but public expectations are higher,' Saifuddin said. He added that amendments to laws on cybercrime and real-time traffic data disclosure were underway. 'We are planning engagement sessions to finalise these changes,' he said. 121 complaints on high-profile impersonation cases Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry had received 121 complaints this year alone on high-profile impersonation cases, including of the Agong, the sultan of Pahang, the prime minister, and MPs. She said MCMC responded by submitting 121 requests for Meta to remove the content. 'We are also studying Taiwan's approach, where platforms are required to verify both the advertiser and the party responsible for publishing the advertisements,' she said. She was responding to Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin), who asked whether platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Xiaohongshu had ever been charged or convicted in civil or criminal courts over such scam advertisements. In a follow-up question, he also asked whether the government could consider initiating a test case by taking platform providers to court. Teo replied: 'We could consider pursuing a test case against platform providers. This is an approach we can explore with the Attorney-General's Chambers.' While takedown efforts are ongoing, she added, 'platform providers must adopt stricter measures'.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
M'sia to sign UN Convention on cybercrime in October, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to sign the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in October, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the country is also in the process of joining the Budapest Convention or the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. The Home Minister said these moves are part of the effort to fight the growing threat of cybercrimes, which are becoming more sophisticated and inventive. "The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) receives an average of about 500 calls a day from the rakyat to report online scams. "There is an increasing trend of reports related to online scams, and we have to respond to the complaints," he told Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). Chong wanted to know the number of cybercrime cases reported last year and the ministry's efforts to enhance digital security for the people. Saifuddin said police recorded a total of 46,085 cybercrime reports last year, with 49% of cases resolved. He said the NSRC was placed under the purview of the police force this month to bolster the fight against cybercrime. The NSRC, comprising representatives from Bank Negara, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police, will have its own office in Cyberjaya. "At the behest of the Prime Minister, the Public Service Department has also agreed to consider creating 139 new posts for the centre," he added. Saifuddin said Malaysia plans to sign the UN Convention in Vietnam in October. The Budapest Convention, drafted by the Council of Europe in 2001, was the first international treaty to address Internet and computer crime. It went into force in July 2004 and has been ratified by close to 80 states and parties, including several outside Europe, to date. The UN Convention was first proposed by Russia in 2017, with an ad hoc committee formed in 2019 by the UN General Assembly. It eventually produced a draft resolution that was approved by the General Assembly in December last year, with the signing ceremony planned for October. Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the Home Ministry is reviewing the country's cybercrime laws to expand enforcement authorities' investigative powers. "Cybercrimes are getting more threatening and creative. "Our laws cannot remain static but must be dynamic to address these crimes accordingly," he added. Saifuddin said engagement sessions will be held with relevant stakeholders before the proposed amendments are drafted.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Saifuddin: 46,086 cybercrime cases probed last year
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 46,086 investigation papers were opened last year in connection with various cyber-related offences, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the cases were investigated under several key laws, including the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. "Of the total, the prosecution rate reached 49 per cent," he said in response to Chong Zhemin (PH–Kampar), who inquired about the number of reported cybercrime cases in 2024 and the measures taken by the ministry to enhance public digital security. Saifuddin added, "Although from the police's perspective, we feel the investigation papers are yielding results, the public's expectations are higher." Meanwhile, on the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), now operating under the direct leadership of the police, Saifuddin said the centre would operate 24/7. "Previously, there were complaints about the NSRC's limited operating hours, even though scams can happen at any time. Therefore, we will now operate around the clock, seven days a week. "Currently, we receive an average of 500 scam-related calls daily, and this trend is increasing — so we must respond accordingly." He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had agreed for the Public Service Department to consider approving 139 new positions to strengthen the NSRC. The NSRC is a joint initiative between the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre, the police, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, financial institutions, and the telecommunications industry.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Johor man loses RM267,888 in Facebook investment scam
JOHOR BAHRU: A 57-year-old man lost RM267,888 after falling victim to an online investment scam advertised on Facebook. The victim lodged a police report at Pelangi Indah police station on July 21 after realising he had been deceived. Johor Bahru Selatan district police chief ACP Raub Selamat said the victim was lured by an investment ad on Facebook before contacting a woman named 'Olivia Leong' via WhatsApp. The suspect promised an 80% return on investment and instructed the victim to download an app and deal with a person called 'George'. The victim only discovered the scam when he attempted to withdraw his funds but was told to invest more. Investigations revealed he made nine transfers between July 4 and 17, totalling RM267,888. The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years' jail, whipping, and a fine. Police urge the public to verify company backgrounds, avoid sharing personal details, and refrain from downloading unverified apps. Those with fraud-related information can contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or check the Semak Mule portal at - Bernama
