Scam syndicates can drain up to 90 per cent of stolen funds within just three to 10 minutes of receipt, warns Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He explained that once money hits the initial account, scammers swiftly move it through mule accounts in small, staggered transfers to avoid triggering alerts. This narrow window makes the first hour critical for victims.
“Immediate action is key. Victims must contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via 997 and lodge a police report as soon as possible. The sooner we act, the higher the chances of freezing funds before they are dispersed,” he said during a press conference at MCMC Tower 2, following the NSRC launch.
The 24-hour NSRC acts as a one-stop centre to coordinate rapid responses against online financial scams, with operational support from Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil attended the launch.
While early reporting improves the likelihood of saving money, full recovery is not always possible. “If victims report hours later, much of the money may already be withdrawn. In some cases, we may only recover a fraction,” Saifuddin said.
The NSRC recorded 146,167 scam complaints in 2025, freezing 138,915 linked accounts and successfully recovering RM34.05 million. Funds returned to victims rose sharply from RM508,479.39 in 2024 to RM6.65 million in 2025, with an additional RM1.44 million secured by January this year through early intervention.
