Police Chief of Johor, CP Dato' Kamarul Zaman Mamat said, over the last three years, 1,203 people - 723 women and 480 men - had fallen victim to such syndicates with losses amounting to a staggering RM69 million.

“More than 472 people fell victim to such syndicates with losses amounting to RM27.5 million last year.

“We have noticed an increase of almost 40.5% of Macau scam cases since the international borders reopened in April last year after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted,” he said, adding that most of the victims were between 21 and 40 years old.

He said, Macau scams involved cyber criminals impersonating government officials from Bank Negara, the police, Customs and Inland Revenue Board who intimidate victims by claiming they were involved in illegal activities such as money laundering, have unpaid fines or other crimes.