THEY were sold as ‘piglets’ for figures as high as RM100,000, or even more.
Malaysians have become victims of human trafficking used by scam syndicates from China operating out of Myanmar.
In recent months, it is learnt that these scam syndicates have moved out of war-torn Myanmar to either Dubai or Cambodia to continue their operations.
The Madani government had taken great length to organise their rescue out of Myanmar after the syndicate rings were raided by the Chinese authority with the cooperation of the junta. China had repatriated some 30,000 of her nationals back to China.
With efforts undertaken by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir in December last year, a total of 121 Malaysians were safely flown back to Malaysia on a chartered flight.
Their homecoming, of course, brought joy to many a parent who lost their sons and daughters to the syndicates. Prior to the Cabinet’s decision to charter the flights, some parents were told that the evacuation out of Myanmar via Kunming would cost at least RM10,000.
If these victims were not evacuated from Myanmar, some of them could end up being killed during clashes between the junta and an alliance of ethnic armed groups.
What caused some of them to return?
However, not all of them are grateful to be home.
A police source told FocusM that “some of them (who were) rescued are the scammers themselves. They provided nothing (to the police) to help others (still stranded in Myanmar).”
The senior police officer expressed his frustrations. “Please if you really want to help, please educate them. Nothing is too good to be true.”
On further learning from one of those who returned, this writer now understands why some of these ‘piglets’ (a moniker used by the Chinese press for victims of human trafficking) choose to return to their pigs’ den.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of them explained: “Some of these people were trafficked there. Originally, some of them are, in fact, victims of human trafficking.”
The modus operandi is simple. They are told to make a trip to Thailand on promises that they could get jobs with lucrative salaries.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the individual would be greeted by an armed man who would order him to pack his bags and follow him to a river between Thailand and Myanmar.
Watching this TikTok will give the reader an idea how it is so easy to move from Thailand to Mynamr using a small boat. Using a float across a shallow river is enough to cross the border without having to go through the immigration.
@apixboss laluan utama untuk sindiket pemerdagangan manusia membawa rakyat malaysia masuk ke Tachileik Myanmar #fyp #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – Azirul Syafiq
The victim is then auctioned for a price to syndicate bosses who are allowed to pick their workers.
Interestingly, the negotiation is based on willing buyer, willing seller. In the process of negotiation, these victims also get to choose their own bosses.
It is done in a way that even surprised the victim this writer spoke to. In his case, he chose a lady boss who appeared to be less demanding compared to the other men were mostly very fierce looking. This ‘piglet’ was bought for a price of RM100,000.
Work begins, and these ‘piglets’ are taught how to carry out their scam jobs targeting mainly at the lonely but wealthy Westerners who needed someone to speak to. Some wanted companionship in what is known as a ‘love scam.’
The moment money is deposited into a specified bank account, it is a “bingo!” for both victim-turned-scammer and his boss.
The ‘piglet’ gets to enjoy a good commission; hence, it is obvious why some of them choose to return to their pig’s pen, after being rescued.
These are the bad apples which spoil the chances of those who are genuinely deserving to be rescued.
They are quick to forget that, when they return to the pig’s den, they may lose a finger or two, or even worse, get beaten up severely if they fail to scam someone for the day. They may not even return home alive.
For this reason, one can fully understand why the police officer was frustrated when he told FocusM: “Greed kills you.” – Feb 23, 2024
Main pic credit: The Borgen Project
