KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 -- Scam calls in Malaysia skyrocketed by 82.81 per cent in 2024, highlighting an alarming rise in fraudulent activities targeting the public.

According to the Whoscall Annual Report 2024, scammers are shifting their tactics, increasingly relying on phone calls and AI-driven deception to exploit victims.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director CP Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the report that financial losses from scams surged to RM1.57 billion in 2024, up from RM1.22 billion in 2023.

"AI-driven scams, including deepfake videos of celebrities and politicians, are making it easier to deceive victims into fraudulent investments or phishing traps," he said.

"These scams are becoming...