Penjenayah kewangan guna AI, penipuan semakin sukar dikesan, kata gabenor BNM

Malaysia's Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor, Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, has stated that cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and enhance their fraudulent activities, making it harder to detect financial crimes. Rasheed emphasized that approximately 95% of online scams involve victims being persuaded into sending money to the fraudster.

He highlighted that Interpol estimates AI-driven fraud can generate four and a half times more profit compared to traditional methods. Rasheed explained that AI allows criminals to more easily manipulate and prey on victims through social engineering techniques. He stated that as criminals automate their scams, the need for automated detection becomes more critical.

At the opening of the Intelligence-Led Financial Crime Prevention seminar by the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, Rasheed noted that the financial sector has successfully blocked around RM1.9 billion in fraudulent transactions in the first half of the year, surpassing the RM1.2 billion successfully thwarted throughout 2025.

He added that over RM37 billion in assets were recovered successfully over the past five years, while several high-profile and complex financial crimes have been investigated and prosecuted, including cases involving multiple agencies. Rasheed believes Malaysia's progress in combating financial crimes over the past 25 years is built on strong legislation and institutions, along with a better understanding of risks and proactive measures.

Several amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering, Prevention of Terrorism Financing, Prevention of Money Laundering for the Financing of Prohibited and Illegal Activities, and the Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001, along with improvements to other key legislation, have strengthened the nation's ability to investigate, prosecute, and recover stolen assets.

Malaysia has also established several platforms for coordination and risk sharing, including the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre, National Scam Response Centre, Multi-Agency Task Force, National Fraud Portal, and MyFINet. Rasheed stated that Malaysia now has over 27,000 financial and non-financial institutions supporting technology-based monitoring.

He concluded that the combined efforts demonstrate that no single institution can effectively tackle this threat alone.