The government recovered about RM34 million from bank accounts linked to scam syndicates in 2025, with RM6.7 million of that amount successfully returned to victims, according to details reported by The Star.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the funds were secured mainly by intercepting the money before it could move through multiple layers of mule accounts, allowing authorities to freeze and seize RM17.5 million that had already entered the system.

He said returning money to victims takes longer as many cases are still under investigation.

Speaking during Ministry Question Time in Parliament, Saifuddin said recoveries rose sharply from just RM508,479 in 2024 following the expansion of the National Scam Response Centre, which now operates 24 hours a day instead of during office hours.

He said the centre is staffed by 25 officers from Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Division and 16 call agents appointed by Bank Negara Malaysia, and receives about 500 calls daily, although only around half are assessed to be genuine.

Despite the increase in recoveries, Saifuddin said total scam losses reported by victims in 2025 amounted to RM542 million, indicating that only a small share of stolen funds were successfully intercepted.

He added that most reports came from the private sector, while civil servants accounted for about 8 percent of cases.

Retirees and students were also among the groups frequently targeted.

On enforcement, Saifuddin said more than 50 mule account cases were recorded in 2025 under Section 424 of the Penal Code, with 20 already brought to court and the rest either closed, kept on record or still under investigation.

He added that no cases have been recorded so far under Subsection 424D.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia, based on image by Parliament of Malaysia