KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department has recorded 27 cases of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving lawyers this year, resulting in losses exceeding RM20 million, according to its director, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
He also warned that the number of cases is expected to rise further.
“As of July 2024, 27 cases have been recorded, with losses totalling RM20,377,787.35. The number of cases is expected to continue rising.
“Therefore, anyone dealing with lawyers, especially in large financial matters, is advised to regularly check the status of their funds to prevent such incidents,” he said during the department’s weekly press conference today.
He explained that criminal activities by lawyers can occur when they use their position to deceive clients, neglect professional responsibilities, or manipulate documents and information with malicious intent.
This, he added, may include actions like forging documents, lying about case progress, or taking money from clients without providing the promised services.
“Such actions are violations of professional ethics and the law. Our department takes the involvement of lawyers in criminal cases very seriously to ensure these issues are properly addressed,” he said.
He also said that the police have received two more newly reported cases of criminal breach of trust involving lawyers today.
Ramli then went on to say that the department has long shared cases of criminal breach of trust by lawyers to raise awareness and prevent the public from falling victim to such crimes.
He said that in 2022, 29 cases of CBT by lawyers were investigated, resulting in losses of RM13,013,789.44.
He said the number increased to 31 cases in 2023, with losses of over RM33 million.
