COMMENT | In the first quarter of 2025, over 12,000 online fraud cases were reported in Malaysia, with losses exceeding RM573 million.

Scams ranging from fake investments and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated love scams to deepfake CEO impersonations are becoming alarmingly common.

Criminals now use AI tools to create fake identities, clone voices, and even generate synthetic video calls to trick even the most tech-savvy Malaysians.

Despite this digital crime wave, and even as RM53.88 billion was lost to investment scams in 2024 alone, Malaysia still lacks a comprehensive, modern fraud law.

The country’s existing legal framework is fragmented, reactive, and grossly inadequate for the digital age.