[UPDATED] Safe return for M’sians duped by Cambodian syndicate after gruelling ordeal

KUALA LUMPUR – After a harrowing experience of being held captive by a Cambodian online gambling and scam syndicate, 12 of the 16 Malaysians who were rescued by authorities have safely arrived here this morning.

Four others, including one woman, however, tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday and will undergo quarantine in Cambodia for seven days before returning home to Malaysia.

The 12 victims landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at 8.10am and are currently having their statements recorded by the police.

Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hassan said the police are currently gathering intelligence and building up a case before any individuals suspected of involvement in the syndicate are arrested here.

He also revealed that there are scores of other Malaysians currently falling victim to similar syndicates in other Southeast Asian countries and vowed to rescue them.

“I would like to state here that for the remaining victims who we know are stranded in countries we have identified, the authorities between these countries will cooperate to help them,” he told reporters here today.

“For those with further information, or have family members who are affected by such syndicates and are stranded in other countries, please report to the police immediately. We will rescue them.” 

He also confirmed that they were held captive by the syndicate players during their time there, but none of the victims suffered any form of injuries. 

Foreign Ministry deputy chief secretary of bilateral affairs Datuk Amran Mohamed Zin said the 16 Malaysians were rescued by the Cambodian authorities during a police operation on April 4. 

“We were informed that the Cambodian government has banned online gambling since 2020. As a result, they have been cracking down on such activities since then.”

He said although Cambodian authorities have found the Malaysians guilty of involvement, they have decided to not take legal action and allow for their repatriation to Malaysia. 

He also advised Malaysians who are seeking jobs overseas to check with the embassies in the respective countries.

“The reason we are seeing so many such cases of Malaysians being scammed overseas is due to the lack of awareness on the jobs being offered through social media platforms.”

Last Saturday, Jalil said in a statement that the police rescued 16 Malaysians aged between 19 and 43 in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia, who were allegedly duped by lucrative job offers as customer service officers in the country.

He added that they were deceived by job postings on Facebook and the costs of their trip there were borne by a company in Cambodia.

“As soon as the victims arrived in Cambodia, their travel documents were seized, their movements were controlled and they were kept under tight security.”

He said the victims only realised they were deceived after arriving in Cambodia and were forced to work as scammers by the syndicate. – The Vibes, April 12, 2022