Datuk Seri Michael Chong (third from left) showing the list of Malaysians duped by job scam syndicates in Cambodia while victims Tarrence Fung (second from left) and Loh Vui Lun (left), Melaka MCA Youth chief Denis Lee and MCA Youth executive secretary Goh Boon Huat looked on during the press conference at Wisma MCA.
KUALA LUMPUR: Job scam syndicates are changing their tactics to lure victims including posing as beautiful women to develop a relationship, says MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
He said the victims would then be asked to come over to a specified country.
"Once there, they will be forced to work for the syndicates in scamming other people," he told a press conference at Wisma MCA on Thursday (Sept 8).
Chong said another tactic used by the syndicates was to ‘invite’ victims for a competition or even a photography shoot before trapping them.
"They had to change tactics as the authorities were onto them due wide coverage of their previous scams. We hope the public will be aware of these new tactics and not fall victim to it," he added.
Chong said 24 Malaysian victims of such syndicates, including four girls from Sarawak, were expected to return home from Cambodia on Friday (Sept 9).
He added that they were rescued by the Cambodian Immigration Enforcement agency and they are being placed at the Immigration depot.
"The Malaysian authorities managed to assist them in obtaining valid travel documents and they will return home on Friday," he said.
Chong said he was informed that more than 50 Malaysians have been rescued from job scam syndicates so far.
He added that they were detained at the Cambodian Immigration depot as some had overstayed, some had their passports illegally kept by the syndicates.
Chong also said that some had entered Cambodia illegally.
"It takes time for the Malaysian authorities to sort out valid documents for the victims. We are grateful to Cambodian and Malaysian authorities in assisting the victims," he said.
Chong also said the department had been working closely with MCA Youth in assisting those who had been duped by the syndicates.
"We hope the public will be vigilant and not fall prey to the syndicates," he said.
Meanwhile, one of the victims - Terrance Fung, 39 - said he returned to Malaysia after almost seven months in Cambodia.
"I responded to an online job offer to work in a casino in Cambodia, which offered a monthly salary of US$3,000.
"I was brought to Cambodia on Jan 9 through illegal routes and I was forced to work for the syndicate in scamming people for about three months," he said.
Fung said the syndicate would assault him, including using a taser if they were displeased.
"Thankfully, I along with several others were rescued by Cambodian authorities on April 10. I was placed at the Immigration depot before returning to Malaysia two weeks ago," he said.
Fung described the experience as a nightmare and hoped others would be very careful.
"I am thankful to the authorities and other agencies for helping me and other victims," he said.
