Malaysia SC Urges Vigilance as Scam Complaints Double Over Five Years, 2,039 Cases Logged in H1 2025

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has revealed that public complaints and enquiries related to unlicensed investment activities and scams have doubled over the past five years.

In 2024, the SC recorded 3,602 complaints and enquiries, an increase of 100% compared to 2020. The trend has continued into 2025, with 2,039 cases reported in the first half of the year, marking a 51% jump from the same period last year.

Earlier data disclosure indicated that by the third quarter of 2024, the SC had already received 3,380 complaints and enquiries related to scams and unlicensed activities, a 28% increase from the previous year.

SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi stated that the growing sophistication of scams, fuelled by technology, requires Malaysians to be more vigilant. “While the SC and other enforcement agencies are enhancing detection and enforcement capabilities, the public must also play an active role in ensuring the legitimacy of investments. Hence, they ought to verify investment opportunities before committing,” he said.

As a member of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), the SC continues to work closely with enforcement and regulatory bodies to bolster Malaysia’s scam response framework.

BrokersView reminded the public to remain cautious and only engage with official SC and NSRC channels. The Royal Malaysia Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) previously identified two fake Facebook accounts impersonating the NSRC. In another case, scammers cloned the SC’s Public Register of License Holders and Registered Persons to fabricate regulatory credentials and deceive investors.

We urge investors to conduct due diligence and report suspicious schemes promptly to help curb the growing threat of financial fraud.