Over 173,000 Mule Accounts Identified As Of July 2025 - Shamsul Anuar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- A total of 173,224 mule accounts were identified between 2022 and July 2025, following an increasingly worrying rise in online scam cases in the country.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the ministry, through the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), has strengthened enforcement actions and monitoring of mule accounts.

"This approach is carried out holistically through strategic collaboration with enforcement agencies, financial institutions and stakeholders to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

"… (in addition to) prevent the crime from recurring, as well as to raise the public's awareness and confidence to work together with the authorities,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

Shamsul Anuar was replying to a question from Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani, who asked about the steps taken by the government to combat the increasing number of mule accounts, as well as the specific form of incentives or types of protection given to whistleblowers who expose these scam syndicates.

He said that although the ministry feels it isn't yet necessary to introduce specific incentives to whistleblowers, it will continue to study and review the matter periodically.

He added that, as of July 31, a total of 11,753 cybercrime prevention activities had been held through exhibitions and talks to address the issue and raise awareness among the public.

In another development, Shamsul Anuar said 278 weapon-related crime cases were recorded under Section 8A of the Arms Act 1960 so far this year, an increase compared to the 161 cases in 2023.

He said that of the total, 133 cases had been prosecuted, while 73 more are under investigation.

"This increase shows there is an urgent need to strengthen the law and implement stricter prosecution against individuals or groups involved,” he said.

He was replying to Senator Datuk Anna Bell @ Suzieana Perian, who asked about the strategies used by the authorities under the Home Ministry (KDN) to control and curb the smuggling of firearms into the country.

As such, he said the KDN is drafting a more comprehensive Border Control Master Plan that involves strategic collaboration between all border security agencies.

He added that the plan would be implemented based on two strategic steps: strengthening the country's border security control operations and enhancing border control capacity through strategic development and joint training with the agencies involved.

-- BERNAMA