How to Report a Scam in Malaysia (Call 997 and Recover Your Money)
Call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 immediately — it runs 24/7 and a 997 call now counts as your police report. Police and banks can only freeze the money inside a roughly 24-hour window, so speed is everything.
Quick answer: Call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 immediately — it runs 24/7, and a 997 call now legally counts as your police report. Speed is everything: police and banks can only trace and freeze the money inside a roughly 24-hour window.
What to do in 3 steps
- Call 997 now. The NSRC, working with the banks, can trace and freeze (earmark) the money still in the mule account — but only if you reach them fast. Also call your bank's 24/7 fraud line.
- Check the account. Verify suspicious account numbers and phone numbers at Semak Mule (the police CCID portal).
- Raise a bank complaint. Contact Bank Negara Malaysia's BNMTELELINK on 1-300-88-5465 for unresolved bank disputes and guidance.
How recovery actually works
Malaysia has no blanket reimbursement law. What 997 buys you is a fast trace-and-freeze: money still in a mule account can be earmarked and later returned to you, though that process takes time and isn't automatic. The numbers show why speed matters — in January 2026 alone, RM2.4 billion was frozen and RM321 million (about 13% of the frozen amount) was returned to victims. Anything cashed out before you call is usually gone.
What to have ready
- Your account details and the transaction reference, date, time and amount
- The recipient (mule) account number, bank and account-holder name
- The scammer's phone numbers, WhatsApp/Telegram handles, email or website
- Screenshots of chats, transfer slips and the message or ad that lured you
Frequently asked questions
What number do I call after a scam in Malaysia? 997 — the National Scam Response Centre, 24/7. A 997 call now counts as a police report.
Can I get my money back? Only if it's frozen in time. Funds still in the mule account can be earmarked and returned; cashed-out money rarely is.
How do I check a suspicious account? Use Semak Mule at semakmule.rmp.gov.my before paying.
Sources
- National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) — NFCC
- Bank Negara Malaysia — Fraud and Scam Notices
- PDRM CCID — Semak Mule portal
- BERNAMA — 997 now operates 24 hours, counts as police report
For step-by-step reporting and recovery guides covering other countries, see our cybercrime help hub.