KUALA LUMPUR (July 2): A total of over RM430 million has been lost due to e-commerce scams as of the first three months of 2026, according to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
“In 2024, a total of RM1.57 billion was lost due to e-commerce scams and a total of over 35,000 cases have been reported. Scam cases have doubled to over 60,000 and a total of RM2.97 billion lost in the year after”, he said during his speech for the Shopee Seller Summit 2026 and “Jom Beli Selamat” campaign launch event on Thursday.
There were over 8,000 complaints received for online transaction scams last year, said Armizan.
This is important because the number of online shoppers in the country grew by 16% to 62% in 2025 from 46% in 2024, according to the latest Ipsos Malaysia E-Commerce Landscape 2025 report. Moreover, nearly two-thirds of Malaysians are now shopping online, added the report.
The government has taken actions such as freezing accounts and blocking the movement of funds to disrupt scam operations, blocking scam content from websites and social media accounts associated with scam activities and public awareness campaigns, he added.
While enforcement remains important in combating scams, prevention is equally critical, said Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Mohamed Lazim Ismail, who is also the deputy director of strategic planning at the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), in a press release. Consumers equipped with the right knowledge are better able to recognise warning signs and protect themselves from fraudulent activities, he said.
Shopee Malaysia and PDRM have jointly developed an educational microsite that provides practical guidance on common scam tactics, safe online shopping practices and scam prevention as part of the Jom Beli Selamat campaign.
The microsite is to help the public play a more active role in maintaining a safer online environment by facilitating the reporting of suspicious activities and listings, while providing access to trusted support resources, including information related to the National Scam Response Centre.