Family pays RM13K 'ransom' for return of man who fell for job scam

IPOH: The family of a 29-year-old man paid RM13,000 to secure his return after he was conned into taking a job in the Philippines.

The former salesman, who only wished to be known as Leong, said he was promised a job in a casino by a friend named Roy Hew Kim Loy, who enticed him by showing a social media page describing the job.

The job was supposed to pay RM7,000 per month, with all expenses paid for and there was even the prospect of earning extra commission.

He said Roy arranged an interview with a Chinese national on the WeChat app and soon after, Leong quit his job in Kuala Lumpur and headed to Manila.

Leong said only his sister and brother-in-law knew he was going to work abroad.

He said he was told to go to the Philippines as a tourist, and would be met by someone from the company at the airport.

He claimed he arrived in Manila on June 15 and was taken to a building that was still under construction. There were many other small companies set up there as well.

"My passport was taken and I was told that my job was to find victims for a fraudulent online gambling site – it was not a casino job as promised," he told a press conference organised by Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Low Guo Nan.

Leong said he was told to toe the line or he would be beaten and locked away in a room.

However, after a day, Leong was unable to carry out the job.

He wanted to quit, but was told to pay his "employers" RM13,000 or he would not get back his passport to return home.

"They showed me video clips of people being tortured inside a room," he said.

Leong claimed that the Chinese national called his nfreind Roy to tell him about his decision to quit, and Roy instructed that he should be locked up until he made payment.

Fearing for his safety, Leong sought help from his brother-in-law, and the money was paid to the Chinese national's WeChat Pay account in instalments.

Leong claimed he was locked inside the room with seven other people for 10 days, before he was sent to the airport to go back to Kuala Lumpur on June 26.

He said he felt ill on his return and only lodged a police report on July 1 at the Kampung Tawas station.

Leong now wants Roy to return the RM13,000.

Low said there were many similar dubious job offers on social media sites.

"I believe there are many more people trapped by these scams. I urge those in such predicament to lodge police reports immediately.

"The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission must monitor such sites and take necessary action," he added.

Low also urged the police to find Roy, whom he claims is in Ipoh finding victims for job scams. - Star