Malaysian job scam victims were being sold by a Malaysian agent to a syndicate for about RM30,000 to RM50,000. This was revealed by a victim who is currently trapped in Myanmar, but managed to reach out to the Jelutong MCA for help.
According to The Star, Jelutong MCA committee member Jeffrey Ooi said the victim was held in an area in Myanmar controlled by the rebel army faction.
“We believe the victims are in the Mamwadi area where the Myanmar government is not in control.”
“We understand that the victims are placed at Mamwadi, which is a ‘paradise’ for scam syndicates. The prison-like area is guarded by armed personnel.” he said.
Ooi also said that Mamwadi is equipped with mini markets, restaurants, clinics, and amusement centres.
Meanwhile, the victim also said that they have to earn more than RM323,000 to be released. He said they are unable to leave as their passports had been taken when they enter Bangkok.
Following that, a car will pick the victims up and drive them to Maesot, a district in western Thailand that shares a border with Myanmar in a 7-hour journey.
They will then smuggle into Mamwadi which is just across a river at night time.
Also present at the press conference was Penang MCA youth vice president Sit Jie Hao, who said the victims are forced to work from 4pm to 4am every day, with two breaks of one hour each.
He also said that Malaysians were especially in high demand due to their language proficiency. Those who are able to speak English were used to scam people in Europe.
If they did not perform well, they would have to endure the beating and be kept in dark rooms, as what allegedly happened to workers from China.
“Malaysians are treated better, we are told, and will only be beaten if they do not perform.” Sit said.
Meanwhile, Penang MCA said they have since received 4 reports on job scam victims and are helping the families to rescue their loved ones.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain has also urged the public to be wary of overseas job opportunities offered with lucrative salaries.
“The public should check the validity of the offers. Job scams are now on the rise. Too many people are being easily deceived by promises of big salaries and lavish lifestyles.” he said.
