KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 8,011 phone scam cases involving RM440.9mil in losses have been recorded from 2021 to 2023, says Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.

The Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director said, 448 cases involved scammers who posed as Pos Laju personnel, involving RM27.1mil in losses.

He said from January to July this year (2024), a total of 1,411 phone scams involving RM64.4mil in losses were investigated.

“Eighty-seven cases involve scammers who posed as Pos Laju personnel with RM2.9mil in losses.

“The statistics show we have to pay serious attention to phone or parcel scams,” he said on Monday (Aug 12) in his speech at the signing of a memorandum of understanding MOU between Pos Malaysia and Whoscall, an anti-scam application powered by Gogolook as part of the #ScamFreeMalaysia initiative.

Comm Ramli said it was important for Malaysians to be careful and protect themselves in today’s highly volatile cyber environment.

The MOU, which was signed by Gogolook chief operating officer Manwoo Joo and Pos Malaysia operations director Zaini Yahman, will see all operational Pos Malaysia numbers, including those used by couriers and postmen, listed as ‘verified numbers’.

Whoscall users will be able to verify that calls and SMSes are from Pos Malaysia.

The MOU also outlines an official partnership between Pos Malaysia and Whoscall to launch a parcel scam awareness campaign.

Pos Malaysia’s Zaini said the collaboration would allow the national post and parcel service provider to register over 6,600 phone numbers used by its teams, eliminating uncertainty and building customer trust.

“By proactively addressing the issue of parcel scams, we not only protect customers but also enhance our reputation as a secure and reliable service provider,” he said in his speech.

For more information on the #ScamFreeMalaysia Parcel Scam Awareness Campaign, the public can visit Whoscall social media accounts on Facebook and TikTok.

This article first appeared on The Star.