By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 28: Four Sarawkians were safely returned to their families after being duped by syndicates pretending to offer high-paying jobs in Cambodia.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaint Bureau chief Milton Foo, is urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN) to issue red notices to Malaysians who intend to work in Cambodia and for authorities such as airport customs to keep a close eye on Malaysians travelling to or working in Cambodia.
He also suggested that government warnings about job scams be displayed at Kuching International Airport (KIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), similar to those seen at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
“Only four people have been returned safely, and one of the victims’ families paid the syndicate more than RM100,000 (approximately USD22,000) for the victim’s release last month,” Foo said today at a press conference at Galacity here.
He revealed that if the victims do not meet the sales target in scamming people all over the world using smartphones, or if they try to flee, the syndicate will beat them up or even electrocute them.
He added that the victims were forced to work for at least 16 to 18 hours per day.
Foo said that according to a news report, the Hong Kong government will join forces with the Chinese foreign ministry and Interpol to return residents who have been victims of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, with a new WhatsApp hotline set up to expedite action.
“According to global news reports, thousands of people have been imprisoned, abused, and forced to work and scam people all over the world after being duped into this type of ‘high-paying’ job in a manner similar to Hongkongese, Taiwanese, Malaysians (including Sarawakians), and Indonesians.
“In light of the rampant scam cases in the country, the federal government, KLN, and Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) should set up a similar hotline for quick action to rescue the victims in Cambodia.
“Finally, I urge the public to remain vigilant in order to avoid falling into the abyss of lucrative job scams in Cambodia at the expense of exorbitant ransom sums, if not the risk of death or loss of life,” he asserted. — DayakDaily
