Sharing photos of hostel saves Malaysian from online scam syndicate

IPOH: Sharing photos of a hostel in Cambodia where a 32-year-old Malaysian man was confined by a syndicate may have saved his life.

Lee Kar Meng said he sent the photos to his father and these were then shared with members of the media during a press conference on May 9.

“My father and the families of a few other Malaysians stranded in Cambodia held a press conference on May 9 with help from the Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau.

“I sent photos of the hostel building that I took to my father here in Ipoh, and they were circulated during the May 9 press conference.

"The syndicate probably got wind of it and let me go on May 12," Lee told a press conference organised by bureau chief Low Guo Nan here on Wednesday (Aug 3).

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Lee returned home on Tuesday (Aug 2).

He had been confined to the hostel since his arrival in Cambodia in January last year.

He said his ordeal started when an acquaintance told him that he could earn a high salary working in Cambodia in the gambling line.

“I didn't even have a passport, but the agent who recruited me told me I could still continue my journey.

“We crossed several borders by road, changing vehicles, and when I reached Cambodia I (found out) that my job description was to scam people online.

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“I was paid US$600 by the first company, and after that I did not get a single cent, as I could not carry out my job, and I was 'sold' to six other companies,” he claimed.

Lee said he shared a room with six others who were not Malaysians and while they were allowed to move about freely, he was confined inside.

“When they let me go, I walked for 30 minutes before reaching a police station, and stayed there for three days.

“I was then sent to the immigration detention centre until July 31, before finally boarding a flight back on Aug 1,” he said.

Lee said he feared for his life because he could not do the job and feared that the syndicates would harvest his organs.

“It was a terrible experience, and I advise everyone not to be duped by the sweet promises of earning good money overseas,” he said.

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Low said when the press conference was held in May, he had accompanied Lee’s father to lodge a police report.

He said police then shared the report with Interpol and Asean law enforcement.

“With their help, Lee managed to return home safely to his family,” he added.