Berita Desk delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
Hong Kong actress Strawberry Yeung, 61, narrowly avoided a 'pig butchering' romance scam targeting her with daily messages and an investment pitch worth RM156,411.
Sophisticated scammers are using counterfeit IRS correspondence with QR codes to lure cryptocurrency holders into fake compliance portals, stealing digital assets and identities. The FBI reports crypto scams cost Americans over US$11 billion in 2025.
Malaysian authorities arrested eight foreign nationals in Penang on suspicion of running a call centre scam offering fake Japan travel packages to victims in China and Taiwan, seizing computers and communications equipment.
Singapore police have launched a major operation against scam networks, investigating 255 individuals suspected of involvement in more than 660 cases that caused losses of around $5.6 million. The crackdown involved the newly established Cyber Command unit.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has secured remand orders for 12 individuals suspected of orchestrating a cybercriminal operation targeting the MyIMMs platform. Investigators recovered significant cash and valuables during raids.
Cambodia and Indonesia have committed to intensifying efforts against online scams, recognizing the threat as a transnational challenge requiring coordinated action. The two nations plan deeper collaboration on law enforcement capacity and cross-border operations.
Myanmar security forces arrested 777 suspected online scam and illegal gambling operators during a major raid in Kayin State, including hundreds of Chinese nationals. The operation highlights the region's struggle against transnational cybercrime networks.
Police have dismantled a sprawling fraud operation centred in Forest City, Johor Baru, leading to 335 arrests. The network ran elaborate cryptocurrency investment schemes and romance scams from residential properties targeting victims across international borders.
Germany's federal police chief has warned that artificial intelligence is accelerating child sexual abuse, with cases rising to over 20,000 in 2025. Cyber-grooming and livestreamed abuse from overseas hotspots present mounting challenges.
Kedah police have dismantled a sophisticated romance scam operation targeting Japanese nationals, arresting seven foreign nationals operating from a call centre. The bust reveals the scale of international cybercrime networks operating from Malaysian soil.
Malaysian authorities have dismantled a coordinated romance fraud operation targeting Japanese nationals, arresting seven Chinese suspects during a raid on an industrial premises in Alor Star, Kedah.
Japan has committed to enhanced cooperation with ASEAN, China, and South Korea on energy resilience and tackling online scams. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the region's critical economic weight and Japan's alignment with ASEAN's Indo-Pacific vision.
The FBI and Cambodia have committed to strengthening cooperation against transnational cybercrime syndicates. This comes as a UN warning reveals annual losses from scams across the region could exceed US$114 billion in 2025.
Police have shut down a major online gambling syndicate operating across the Klang Valley, generating approximately RM27 million daily through World Cup betting operations. The crackdown, involving raids on 19 premises, resulted in 161 arrests and exposed how criminals used legitimate front companies to launder illicit proceeds.
A 26-year-old Singapore Armed Forces captain faces charges for allegedly possessing eight sexually explicit child abuse materials and 20 obscene films discovered in a Geylang East flat. The SAF has suspended him pending court proceedings.
Kuantan police have dismantled a large-scale telecommunications fraud network operating from the city, resulting in 16 arrests including 14 foreign nationals. The criminal enterprise primarily targeted victims in the United States.
Malaysian police have arrested 16 individuals in Kuantan as part of a major crackdown on an international scam network that defrauded American citizens through sophisticated online schemes.
Malaysia's communications regulator argues that digital laws must be as rigorous as physical-world safeguards to combat rising online threats, particularly against children and vulnerable groups, as the country implements stricter frameworks.
Nine Chinese nationals appeared in Balik Pulau magistrate's court, facing charges of criminal conspiracy related to a suspected love scam operation. The case highlights growing transnational fraud threats affecting Southeast Asian communities.
Negeri Sembilan authorities have arrested a man suspected of posting insulting content about state royalty on social media. Police seized his mobile phone as investigators examine the allegations.
Malaysia has recorded 8,014 online fraud charges by May 2026, already surpassing the entire 2025 tally of 6,140 cases. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid cited the escalating threat as justification for tabling the Cyber Crime Bill 2026 in parliament.
Perak police have arrested 12 Chinese nationals following coordinated raids on two call centres in Ipoh that were orchestrating online romance scams targeting victims across China.
Perak police have dismantled what authorities believe are coordinated romance scam operations in Ipoh, arresting a dozen Chinese nationals across two separate enforcement actions targeting online fraud networks.
India's markets regulator has alerted the public to a rising cyber fraud scheme where scammers impersonate CEOs and senior executives to manipulate employees into unauthorized fund transfers.
Perak police have arrested 18 Chinese nationals following coordinated raids targeting an alleged online scam operation based in Ipoh. The busts represent a significant enforcement action against transnational cybercrime networks operating in Malaysia.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry has removed over 457,000 pieces of online gambling content and blocked 1,778 gambling websites since January 2025, reflecting strengthened enforcement against illegal gaming and digital fraud.
Reuters investigation reveals that Lim Heng Group, controlled by a well-connected Cambodian businessman, leased buildings within its Royal Hill casino compound to operators running large-scale international scam and human trafficking networks targeting victims globally.
Four individuals, including two siblings, entered not guilty pleas in Sungai Petani magistrate's court after being charged with operating an unlicensed online gambling service in April.
Singapore authorities are investigating 550 individuals, including minors as young as 16, suspected of involvement in more than 1,800 scam and unlicensed moneylending cases. Victims have lost over $17 million combined.
Indonesia has deported 92 Chinese nationals accused of running online scam operations, marking an escalation in the country's response to transnational cybercrime. The deportations signal growing concerns about Indonesia becoming a base for regional fraud networks.
A Malaysian man has been convicted and sentenced to six years and eight months in Brunei for his involvement in a cross-border scheme targeting ATM systems. He collected debit cards that were then used for unauthorised withdrawals.
Malaysia's government is undertaking a detailed review to bolster legal protections for cybercrime victims, examining international best practices and potential mechanisms for fund recovery.
Sophisticated romance scams impersonating Dubai's Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed are targeting vulnerable individuals across Asia, with perpetrators traced to Nigerian syndicates and using AI-generated deepfakes to extract hundreds of thousands of pesos.
Parliament's second week saw PM Anwar Ibrahim defend federal allocations to states, with lawmakers also passing cybercrime and child protection legislation, while the government commits to price controls and educational vouchers.
Singapore authorities are investigating 230 people—including a 16-year-old—suspected of involvement in scams that caused S$9 million in losses across more than 713 incidents ranging from e-commerce fraud to job scams.
Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has unveiled a major consumer awareness campaign to combat online fraud, which has cost the nation over RM4.54 billion in losses since 2024.
Vietnamese authorities have charged seven people in connection with a sprawling film piracy operation that ran over 100 illegal streaming websites hosting more than 26,000 films, generating approximately US$12.8 million in illicit revenue through online advertising.
Malaysia's government has established a special inter-agency committee to combat online scams, bringing together ministries, law enforcement, banking, telecommunications firms and social media platforms in a coordinated effort.
An AP/Frontline investigation reveals how American technology companies—from satellite internet to AI platforms—enable sophisticated scam operations across Southeast Asia, despite having technical capacity to prevent abuse.
Malaysia's Cybercrimes Bill 2026 transcends basic international treaty requirements, introducing comprehensive domestic criminal offences adapted to the country's existing legal infrastructure and law enforcement capabilities.
Bangladeshi authorities arrested a 23-year-old man at Jahangirnagar University for allegedly filming inside a women's washroom. The suspect was apprehended after students discovered him near the facilities at the Teachers-Students Centre.
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Malaysia has intensified its crackdown on online fraud, arresting over 45,000 suspects and opening 165,501 investigation files since 2023, signalling growing law enforcement commitment to combat digital crime.
Vietnamese authorities have dismantled a transnational cybercrime network operating from Cambodia, arresting 12 suspects involved in defrauding approximately 500 victims of RM39.2 million. The operation used fake government websites and impersonation tactics.
Myanmar authorities have arrested four Chinese nationals operating illegally in Shan State for running online scam and gambling networks. Equipment including phones and computers was seized during the raid.
Online fraud losses in Malaysia surged nearly 89% to RM2.97 billion in 2025 from RM1.57 billion the previous year, with investment scams and telecommunications fraud dominating. The Home Ministry reports improved recovery efforts through its 24-hour response centre.