PARLIAMENT | The Foreign Ministry, as of Feb 13, has received 564 reports of Malaysians being victims of job scam syndicates abroad.
It said from the total number of reports received through the Malaysian embassies in Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Vientiane (Laos) and Yangon (Myanmar), 401 people have been successfully rescued, with 377 people sent home.
“The remaining 24 individuals are currently being held in detention depots pending deportation, while another 163 people are still being tracked down,” the ministry said in its written reply on the Parliament website yesterday.
It was a reply to a question from Oscar Ling Chai Yew (Pakatan Harapan-Sibu), who wanted to know why a special task force was not formed to negotiate with the Cambodian government in an effort to rescue Malaysians cheated or abducted by job scam syndicates there.
‘Task force has been formed’
The ministry went on to clarify that a task force, headed by the ministry and membered by several other relevant agencies, has been formed to deal with the issue in an integrated and comprehensive manner.
It is a continuation of ongoing efforts between the ministry in collaboration with Malaysian representatives abroad and the Royal Malaysian Police, which began in the first quarter of 2022.
It said the ministry and the police had never encouraged victims’ families to pay ransoms or seek the services of private parties and NGOs to help with the matter.
“Family members are urged to report to the police and to refer to the Foreign Ministry if their kin has been identified as victims of such syndicates.
“Individuals who receive job offers abroad are encouraged to check first with the Foreign Ministry, Malaysian representatives, or the (Malaysian) embassy in that country if they are worried or concerned about the offer they had received,” the ministry added.
- Bernama
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