Malaysia’s online crime cases increased 35.5 percent year on year to 34,532 cases in 2023 from 25,479 cases in the previous year, with e-commerce crime accounted for 33.2 per cent, official data showed Wednesday.

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement that all types of offences recorded an increase in 2023, with e-commerce crime was the highest contributor to online crime.

This was followed by telecommunications crime (30 percent), non-existent investments (15.6 percent), non-existent loans (12.3 percent), e-finance (6.1 percent) and love scam (2.7 percent).

Looking at love scam crime in 2023, the victims involved female was higher at 78.2 percent as compared to male (21.8 percent).

Victims aged 41 to 50 years recorded the highest percentage by age group which is 24.3 percent.

The love scam crime also happened to seniors citizen aged 61 years and above which was 15.8 percent.

It is noted that there are six categories under online crime namely telecommunication crime, e-finance, love scam, e-commerce, non-existent loans and non-existent investments.

Meanwhile, the number of commercial crime cases reported to the polis in Malaysia recorded an increase of 32.1 percent in 2023, 40,350 cases as compared to 30,536 cases in 2022.

All types of offences showed an increase except for other cases that recorded a decrease of 7.9 percent in 2023.

Fraud offences was the highest case recorded in 2023 which is 36,936 cases.

This was followed by criminal breach of trust (1,217 cases) and offences under the Money Lenders Act 1951 (994 cases).

The crime index which includes assault and property crimes increased 3.2 per cent in 2023 to 52,444 cases as compared to 50,813 cases in 2022.

Assault and property crimes recorded an increase of 1.0 per cent and 3.8 percent to 10,453 cases and 41,991 cases, respectively in 2023.

The crime index ratio per 100,000 population in 2023 increased to 149 as compared to 146 in 2022.

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