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KUCHING, Sept 25: Eight Sarawakians have fallen victim to a job scam where they were transported to Myanmar and forced to work as scammers there.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the police received three reports involving eight Sarawakians from various parts of Sarawak.
These eight Sarawakians, aged between 25 and 35, include two Malays from Tanjung Manis, an Iban from Julau, and five Chinese from Sibu.
Mohd Azman said the first report was lodged on Sept 21, 2023, involving two Malay men from Tanjung Manis, while the second report was made on Sept 22, 2023, in Julau district, where the victim is an Iban man.
The third report was made in Sibu District, involving five Chinese men.
“The victims got job offers through Facebook to work in Thailand and were offered a salary of between RM3,000 and RM6,000 per person,” Mohd Azman said at a press conference today.
“Based on the information we received, they were not informed of the nature of the jobs offered.
“The information we received also stated that upon arrival in Thailand, the victims were taken to Myanmar and forced to work as scammers.
“If they do not reach the target set by the employer, they will be fined and abused, and threatened to be sold to other agents,” he said.
The victims are not allowed to contact family members; if they manage to do so, it is done secretly.
Mohd Azman said the three cases have been sent to Interpol and Aseanapol so that the victims may be located and rescued.
The police have also notified the Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help speed up the rescue process to bring home the victims. — DayakDaily
