A total of 238 Malaysians have fallen victim to overseas job scam syndicates, with 168 still stranded outside the country, according to the police.
Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said the police force has received 182 reports related to job scams from 2021 until Thursday (Aug 18), involving 238 victims.
Out of that number, 70 victims were successfully rescued by PDRM.
She added that investigations show that victims are lured through lucrative career advertisements on Facebook seeking people to work abroad as customer service officers.
“Victims who are interested in the offer will contact the agent through the WeChat, WhatsApp and Messenger applications.
“After getting the victim’s consent, the agent informs them that they will manage and bear the cost of travel to the job destination,” Noorsiah said.
Upon arrival at the destination, all travel documents and the victim’s phone will be confiscated and eliminated. After that, the victim is locked up and their movement restricted.
Noorsiah said victims who are aware of the deception by agents were eventually forced to work for online gambling syndicates and scammers for investment fraud and love scams.
“PDRM is currently working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Aseanapol (ASEAN Chiefs of National Police) and Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) to locate and bring home the victims who are still stranded.
“Family members or acquaintances of victims who have any information are advised to file a police report if they have not done so and should not deal directly with the syndicate or unknown persons,” she said.
Meanwhile, Noorsiah said through Op Pintas Daya on Aug 3, six individuals, including two local women, were arrested on suspicion of being involved with the same syndicate.
“The suspects aged between 33 and 45 years old have been detained to help in investigations under Section 12 and Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrant Act 2007.
“Also confiscated were mobile phones, laptops, modems, routers, pen drives and cash,” she added.
She said Op Pintas Daya was carried out through the cooperation of the Peninsular Malaysia Manpower Department, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (MAPO) trafficking council and the Home Affairs Ministry. – Aug 20, 2022
Main photo credit: Quill.com
