TRAVEL, good pay and an easy job. With only a few months to graduation, business student May (not her real name) is excited to find these dream jobs advertised.
“Throw in free lodging, paid benefits, allowances and other perks in an exotic country, what more can you want?”
But the 22-year-old is wary since reading all the news reports about job scams and scam parks.
“They say be careful when the job ads are too good to be true. But to be honest, I’m not really sure how to tell and how to check or verify these ads....”
The rampant job scams and scam parks have become such a clear and present danger in the region that the United Nations has warned that they have reached “pandemic” levels.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), there is an estimated 100,000 of these “scamdemic” victims from the region – many are trafficked young men and women from China, Malaysia and Singapore.
Conned and held captive in the scam parks or fraud factories in the Mekong region of South-East Asia, they are forced to commit a wide range of digital criminal crimes, from online banking scams, romance-investment scams and crypto fraud, to money laundering and illegal gambling.
While the actual number of victims is not known, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said it has assisted around 517 duped Malaysians to return home from these scam parks as of Nov 9 last year, and has been trying to trace another 192 Malaysian victims.
Last month, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told Parliament that 158 victims of overseas job scam syndicates are still stranded in their countries of destination as of November.
More awareness needed
“Malaysians can speak multiple languages and probably this caused the syndicates to target us,” says Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies chairman Dr Chin Yee Mun.
Young Malaysians are also IT-savvy, he adds. However, their awareness of this phenomenon is low, he says, citing a finding from a survey his centre conducted in October last year: Individuals aged 16-20 and 21-25 form the highest percentage of respondents who have never encountered scam tactics, including scam parks.
The study, which was aimed at studying Malaysians’ awareness of scam park activities as well as seeking a solution to prevent more from becoming victims, was conducted in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies in Perlis and the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies (Huayan).
The Human Resources Ministry has said that it will continue to provide information to the country’s youth to ensure that they do not fall for job scams abroad and empty promises from agents. As reported, one strategy is implementing various efforts through Talent Corp Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp) to ensure that students about to enter the working world are aware of potential jobs in the country.
However, like May, many young job seekers hope the government could also set up a portal or an agency where they can verify suspicious job offers, especially those from overseas.
Start them early
It is important to start raising awareness of the job scam and scam park scourge early, even in secondary schools, says UiTM Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies senior lecturer Dr Syaimak Ismail.
“Young people, particularly teenagers and students, are often at a vulnerable stage in their lives. They may be more susceptible to manipulation or deception by traffickers who exploit their vulnerabilities.
“At the same time, traffickers often use technology and social media to target and recruit potential victims. Many young people are active on these platforms, making them more vulnerable to online recruitment,” she says.
“This is why social media campaigns are vital. As the joint study suggests, we should utilise platforms like Facebook, Twitter [now called X], and Instagram to share informative content, survivor stories, and statistics.
“Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience. This information should be easily accessible and widely distributed.
“By educating and raising awareness among youth, these initiatives can empower them with information and skills to protect themselves and their peers,” she says.
Another suggestion is to create an interactive online platform where young people can anonymously ask questions, seek advice, or share their concerns about potential trafficking situations.
The researchers also recommend providing helpline information – particularly helpline numbers and support services – for young people to contact if they, or someone they know, is at risk or has experienced trafficking.
Syaimak, who was also involved in the survey, proposes that “conventional” awareness raising activities also be upped, such as developing and disseminating educational campaign materials including brochures, pamphlets and informative websites to inform people about the realities of human trafficking, recognising clues, and how to avoid being trafficked.
Other recommended activities include workshops and seminars in local communities, schools and colleges to educate people about human trafficking, its risks, and how to recognise and report it.
“Guest speakers such as survivors, experts, or activists can be invited to share their experiences and insights at these conferences, as well as schools or community gatherings.
“Collaborate with NGOs, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to develop educational resources, such as lesson plans, teaching materials, and multimedia content. Most importantly, ensure that these resources are easily accessible to educators.
“To further draw attention to the issue, public awareness events such as rallies, marches, or candlelight vigils can be organised,” Chin highlights.
Ultimately, education is key, Syaimak stresses.
“Education is a key tool in preventing human trafficking. Initiatives targeting students can incorporate information about the tactics traffickers use, warning signs, and ways to stay safe.”
To ensure that a large number of students receive the relevant knowledge, it can be taught through subjects such as social studies, ethics, or health education, she adds.
“By providing education on the risks with human trafficking, these initiatives can reduce the likelihood of young people becoming victims. We also need initiatives to create a culture of awareness and activism against human trafficking.
“And as these young people grow into adults, they are more likely to carry their awareness and knowledge into various aspects of society, contributing to a broader and sustained effort against human trafficking,” says Syaimak.
The Scam Park: Malaysian Awareness, Prevention and Measures to be taken by the Government survey is also jointly supported by The Star, Sin Chew Daily, Astro Awani, Sinar Harian and Malaysia Nanban, media outlets that formed an alliance tagged Media in Arms last year to pool resources to offer readers diversified and indepth content.
