Upgrades in store for CCID
IGP: Improvements aimed at curbing cybercrime
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) will be enhanced in various aspects, with the priority on tackling cybercrime, said Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
The Inspector-General of Police said commercial crime, particularly those carried out online, were on the rise and the CCID must be a few steps ahead to deal with the matter effectively.
“The trend, in terms of the number of cases and those arrested, is on the rise. A total of 19,509 commercial crime cases were recorded in 2015, followed by 26,277 in 2016 and 28,271 last year.
“It is definitely a worrying trend, so it is time to further improve the CCID, including producing officers who are experts in cybercrime,” he told a press conference after attending Bukit Aman’s monthly assembly yesterday.
Among the planned improve- ments are more training for CCID officers, exposure to other countries’ methods of tackling cybercrime, collaboration with those countries and enhancing the CCID’s logistical capabilities, he added.
“We are also looking at increasing the number of CCID personnel.
“Our ultimate goal is implementing effective measures to curb com- mercial crime in the country,” he said.
He also praised the CCID for recording a 24.2% prosecution rate with 6,417 cases brought to court, from last year’s total of 28,271 cases.
“It is an increase over 17.8% in 2016. The department also conducted 12,203 raids and operations, resulting in the arrest of 11,691 suspects last year.
“The majority of these raids were classified as successful, so the department has exceeded its key performance indicator,” he said.
On cybercrime, the country’s top cop said 1,705 people were arrested for their involvement in African Scams, while 1,239 people were detained for Macau Scams last year.
“The CCID detained 960 suspects who allegedly duped victims via online purchases during the same period.
“CCID officers also picked up 169 others for offences under investment scams,” he said.
Within the last two months, the department had already busted sev- eral high-profile scams, including a mortgage loan scam, gold investment scam and forex scam, Mohamad Fuzi said.
“For the mortgage scam, the syndicate would apply for housing loans using fake documents and identification papers.
“Seven banking institutions were targeted, resulting in more than RM10mil in losses.
“The CCID acted fast and arrested 13 syndicate members,” he said.
On the gold scam, six people were arrested following 193 reports involving RM27.5mil worth of losses, the IGP added.
In the forex scam, victims were promised 12% returns on their investment but it turned out to be a ruse to dupe them of their cash.
“A total of 116 reports were lodged and three people were arrested on Feb 10,” he said.
On new types of cybercrime, Mohamad Fuzi said police had received less than five cases involving bitcoin.