This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 10, 2025 - February 16, 2025

Cybercriminals are constantly changing their tactics, using advanced technologies to carry out illicit activities, including sophisticated scams. Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, director of the commercial crime investigation department at the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), warns that artificial intelligence (AI) is among the most concerning developments in this space.

“For instance, AI is used to analyse vast amounts of data, enabling criminals to craft personalised phishing emails that are more likely to deceive victims,” he said at the Asia International Security Summit and Expo 2025 (AISSE 2025) on Jan 20.

Ramli explained how cybercriminals are using AI to automate attacks and develop sophisticated malware. In 2024, cybercrime made up 85% of all commercial crimes, with online scams accounting for about 64% of these cases. He also highlighted an alarming rise in targeted attacks on critical sectors like healthcare and transport, which could disrupt essential operations.

“Cybercriminals used machine learning algorithms to identify vulnerabilities in software and systems more efficiently. By automating the process of scanning for weaknesses, they launched attacks with greater precision and speed,” he said.

Ramli advised organisations to invest in advanced cybersecurity technologies and adopt proactive strategies to counter evolving threats, as cybercriminals increasingly use both cyber-enabled and cyber-­dependent schemes, including automated phishing attacks.

“The incorporation of AI into cybercrime operations presents a formidable challenge for law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals. For example, credit card security measures may be insufficient to counteract the speed and efficiency of AI-driven attacks,” he said.

Part of this rise in AI use is the growing threat of deepfake technology, which enables cybercriminals to create realistic audio and video content using AI.

“This technology can be particularly damaging when employed in social engineering scams as it undermines trust and complicates verification processes,” Ramli said.

The threat of cybercrimes is not limited to AI. As a whole, Malaysia saw an overall rise in the rate of online scams, with investment fraud being among the most prevalent types.

Scammers often promise unrealistic returns on investment that appear too good to be true, pressuring victims into acting without investigating further.

“Throughout 2024, [some] 6,337 cases of investment fraud were investigated, with losses totalling RM848,625,127.68,” Ramli said.

Additionally, telecommunication scams were the most reported type of cybercrime in 2024, with 40,684 cases resulting in losses of RM497,123,371.62.

“[This] rise of online scams poses significant challenges for the RMP in their efforts to combat cybercrimes. While the RMP has made progress through various initiatives, the increasing sophistication of scammers and the rapid evolution of technology present ongoing hurdles,” he noted.

One of the primary challenges the RMP faces is keeping up with new technologies while being constrained by existing resources and the cross-border nature of many cybercrimes. Ramli stressed the importance of international collaboration.

“Establishing partnerships with international law enforcement agencies to enhance capacity, establish mutual legal infrastructure and facilitate information sharing across jurisdictions is critical.”

He added that as cybercrime evolves, so too must legislation, and proposed that Asean members develop a unified approach to combat cybercrime.

Suggestions include forming a joint task force, creating an information-sharing platform and establishing regional cybersecurity frameworks.

Looking ahead to 2025, Ramli expects cybercrime to become even more sophisticated, requiring the RMP to respond through education and cross-agency cooperation. He emphasised the importance of public awareness campaigns in combating the rise in scams by equipping citizens with the knowledge to identify threats. The RMP is actively collaborating with community organisations, schools and businesses while leveraging social media and digital platforms to reach a wider audience.

“To effectively combat online scams, the RMP, along with other relevant agencies, must prioritise community engagement and education, foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness, leverage technology and promote international cooperation,” said Ramli.

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