BANGKOK – Malaysians need to be more aware and not be deceived by scammers, especially human traffickers who take advantage of the desperate and needy with high-paying foreign jobs, advised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister told a press conference that the government has taken a firm and strict stance on the issue but said that the public must also be wary of such tactics if it sounds too good to be true.
“We have taken a very strong stance on this. But at the same time, our people must also be warier. These scammers hide in a few countries, including Myanmar.
“We cannot let ourselves be deceived. Right now, I’ve tasked Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi (Fadzil) to find a way and strengthen our laws. The police are also taking necessary steps.
“Apart from that, we can only give advice,” said Anwar responding to the five Malaysian job seekers who were duped into going to Myanmar and were forced to work as cyber scammers.
The victims have been rescued and are now awaiting deportation in Bangkok.
Acting on information from Teruntum assemblyman Sim Chon Siang and others, a team from the Thai Army went into KK Gardens in Myawaddy, Myanmar, last February 3 and rescued Adam Iskandar Tukiman, 20, Akmar Hamsan, 19, Kamil Abd Hamid, 25, Nur Fitriani Abdullah, 19, and Lee Zhi Cong, who were being held there.
They are expected to arrive in Malaysia by February 15, after undergoing the necessary procedures.
One other Malaysian, whose name is being withheld for his safety, has still not been rescued. He was supposed to escape last Tuesday but failed to make it to the rendezvous point across the river, where the Thai authorities were waiting. – The Vibes, February 10, 2023
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