Malaysia Pulse delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
Police arrested nine foreign nationals of different nationalities in Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan, on suspicion of orchestrating online scam activities. The detainees allegedly entered Malaysia specifically to conduct fraud operations.
ASEAN police forces are strengthening cross-border cooperation and developing specialized training to combat online scam syndicates relocating to countries like Laos and Sri Lanka as regional pressure mounts.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph2lu70g)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph2lu70p)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22226%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EOnline%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Malaysia experienced a dramatic surge in online scam losses to RM2.97 billion in 2025, nearly double the previous year. Investment frauds accounted for the largest share, while phone scams remained the most common threat.
Cambodia's anti-scam chief has pushed back against an Amnesty International report questioning the government's effectiveness in combating online fraud operations, arguing that criminal masterminds operate beyond national borders.
Thailand's police leadership has called on Cambodia to confront intelligence showing large-scale online scam operations are headquartered within Cambodian territory, challenging remarks by Cambodia's Senate president that blamed foreign transit routes.
Cybercriminals are impersonating officials of Thailand's Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 scheme, sending deceptive SMS and chat messages to pressure citizens into clicking malicious links and disclosing sensitive personal data.
A High Court in Tawau has issued arrest warrants for 41 Chinese nationals accused of involvement in a criminal conspiracy related to online fraud, after they failed to appear in court.
Malaysian authorities have issued arrest warrants for 41 Chinese nationals implicated in an extensive online scam operation. The suspects are among 80 individuals charged in Tawau, Sabah, and are suspected of having left Malaysia or returned to China.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has taken down 271,472 pieces of content since January, with 91 per cent linked to online scams and gambling operations.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has instructed social media platforms to delete more than 271,000 pieces of content linked to online scams and illegal gambling since the start of the year, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced.
Cambodia's Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen has directed authorities to prosecute government officials complicit in online scam operations and confiscate their properties. The crackdown follows raids on over 250 scam centres and deportations of thousands.
Cambodia has committed to intensifying efforts against transnational cybercrime and online scam operations, hosting a three-day training programme in Preah Sihanouk province to bolster law enforcement capabilities.