Individuals who fall victim to financial fraud are urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) by calling 997 as soon as possible, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.

He explained that victims do not need to file a separate police report before seeking help, as contacting the NSRC hotline is sufficient to begin the assistance process and potentially help recover stolen funds.

Hotline Connects Victims To Multiple Agencies

According to Fahmi, the NSRC now operates with an expanded team that includes police officers, banking representatives, and telecommunications company personnel who are able to assist victims when calls are received.

When a report is made through the hotline, officers can begin coordinating efforts to trace the movement of funds and initiate steps to prevent further transfers where possible.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Fahmi said the centre has strengthened its operations so that victims can receive support more quickly after making a report.

Authorities Tracking Movement Of Stolen Funds

Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited the NSRC recently to review the systems used to track the flow of stolen funds after they leave a victim’s account.

According to him, fraud syndicates often move money through multiple layers of mule accounts shortly after a fraudulent transaction occurs. These rapid transfers can make recovery more difficult if reports are delayed.

Because of this, authorities are emphasising the importance of public awareness about the NSRC hotline and the need for victims to report incidents immediately.

Quick Action Can Improve Chances Of Recovering Funds

In many financial fraud cases, stolen funds are transferred rapidly through several bank accounts shortly after the victim authorises the transaction. These accounts are often controlled by intermediaries, commonly referred to as mule accounts, which allows criminals to move the money quickly and make tracing more difficult.

Because of this, the first few hours after an incident occurs are often the most critical. When a report is made to NSRC, the centre can coordinate with banks and telecommunications providers to trace the transaction trail and attempt to freeze accounts before the funds are transferred again.

The chances of recovering stolen money generally decline the longer a report is delayed, as the funds may be withdrawn or moved across additional accounts.

Delayed Reports Can Reduce Recovery Outcomes

Fahmi cited examples shared by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to illustrate how reporting time affects recovery outcomes.

In one case, an individual lost more than RM800,000 after fraudulent transactions began around 2pm. The incident was only reported to the NSRC at about 10pm, and authorities were able to recover approximately RM170,000.

In another case, nearly the entire amount lost was successfully recovered because the victim contacted the NSRC shortly after the incident occurred.

Officials say these cases demonstrate how critical early reporting can be when attempting to trace and freeze stolen funds.

Coordinated Response Between Authorities And Banks

The NSRC operates through coordination between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and telecommunications providers. This allows authorities to trace suspicious transactions and attempt to freeze accounts before the funds are withdrawn or transferred again.

Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of financial fraud is encouraged to contact the NSRC hotline at 997 immediately and provide as much information as possible to support recovery efforts.

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