Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim during a press conference on three rescued Malaysians from human syndicate trade at Myawaddy and Tachileik at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, December 7, 2023. With him is MHO advisor Tan Sri Musa Hassan. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
SEPANG: A non-governmental organisation (NGO) has warned that job scam syndicates based in Myanmar are expected to move their base of operations to Laos.
Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said this after three Malaysians were brought back from Myanmar on Thursday.
"The three were forced to work for scam syndicates Tachileik and Myawadyy in Myanmar.
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"We identified 11 Malaysians who were taken to Myawadyy (six), Tachileik (two) and Laos (three)," he told reporters at KLIA on Thursday (Dec 7).
He said they managed to bring back three Malaysians so far while another five are expected to come back on Friday.
Meanwhile, Azirul Syafiq Sazali who coordinated the rescue said due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, scam syndicates were releasing those working for them.
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"We believe that due to the lack of stability in the region, scam syndicates were moving to neighbouring countries including Laos.
"We hope that anyone looking for jobs will not fall for this trap. If you hear of jobs available in Laos please think twice before accepting," he said.
MHO advisor Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he hoped authorities would take steps to gather intelligence and take action to cripple such syndicates.
"If not, our citizens will continuously fall for the promises of such syndicates," he said.
