IPOH: The 28-year-old man who was tricked into working as a scammer in Manila in the Philippines is still traumatised by his ordeal there.
Choong Chin Yee, who returned home here on Saturday (Nov 12), was still visibly shaken when recalling his time over there during a press conference held by Ipoh Barat MCA coordinator Low Guo Nan here on Thursday (Nov 17).
"I am still feeling pressured, depressed and directionless. My emotions feel like a roller coaster at the moment," he said.
"I think I will need some time to rest and settle down first before I try to look for a job," he added.
Choong had been trapped in the Philippines since November last year.
He managed to escape the compound where he had been held and wandered the streets of Manila alone.
A press conference was called late last month by his mother, Vong Foong Thai, urging authorities to bring him home.
Vong, a 61-year-old seamstress, thanked Low and Malaysians in Manila who had assisted her son to fly home.
"The Good Samaritan had helped my son deal with the Malaysian Embassy.
"I am really thankful that he came home safe and sound," she said.
Meanwhile, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Seri Michael Chong said more than 80 Malaysian scam victims have been rescued and flown home between April and July this year.
"We noticed this scam in March and had, through the press, alerted the people about this, to prevent more people from going abroad.
"I have received more than 100 of such cases nationwide," he said.
"I would also like to thank our Malaysians abroad who had assisted their fellow Malaysians to return home," he added.
