Proceeds of crime
Updated 2026-09-29
Proceeds of crime are money or assets obtained, directly or indirectly, from criminal activity, such as funds gained through a scam. Once identified, they can potentially be traced, frozen, or seized by authorities, separate from a private civil claim.
Malaysian law includes powers allowing enforcement agencies to trace and act against proceeds of crime, even where they have been converted, moved through multiple accounts, or mixed with other funds, though tracing becomes harder the further funds have moved.
Recognising money as proceeds of crime can also support a bank or exchange account being flagged or restricted, since financial institutions have obligations relating to suspected proceeds of crime passing through their systems.
When it matters
Reporting a scam promptly, and clearly explaining how funds moved, helps authorities treat the money as proceeds of crime and act on it faster.
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