By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 29: Family members of a Sarawakian trapped in Myammar who was lured overseas by a job scam, say the captors are demanding a RM80,000 ransom.
Michael Kong Feng Nian, a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, in a statement today said he was approached by the victim’s family members today for assistance.
According to Kong, the family informed him that the victim, Tan Junior, left home on Feb 5, to go to Kuala Lumpur for work.
However, he said the family received a video call made through the victim’s phone, which revealed that he was tied up in a room and the caller disclosed that the victim was in Myanmar after an unsuccessful attempt to escape his captors.
“The caller demanded a ransom of RM80,000 for Tan Junior’s safe return to Kuching.
“When the family couldn’t meet the demand, an alternative offer of RM23,000 was made to allow the son to continue working in Myanmar as a recruiter for other Malaysians on the pretense of working overseas.
“If payment isn’t made, the caller threatened to relocate the son and coerce him into illegal activities,” he added.
Kong said the distressing situation sheds light on the dangers associated with seeking employment overseas where many unsuspecting individuals are lured by promises of lucrative opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in such precarious situations.
He also said that the situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising caution and verifying the legitimacy of job offers.
“I urge the public to remain vigilant and refrain from engaging in employment opportunities that compromise their safety and well-being.
“There are ample job opportunities available locally, and it’s essential to conduct thorough research and verification before accepting any offers, especially those involving overseas employment,” he said. — DayakDaily
