KOTA TINGGI: Enticed by a job offer promising a salary of RM4,000, two friends who were initially offered employment at a casino in Cambodia found themselves working long hours as scammers in a scheme targeting unsuspecting Malaysians instead.
The two victims, Nurazlin Zulkifli, 28, and Mohd Sofi Khairul Fadzilah, 33, from Felda Air Tawar 4, were promised employment at a casino in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
However, upon arrival, they were coerced into working at a scam call centre with a workday spanning from 7am to 1am. Worse, despite clocking in the hours, they were not paid their wages.Their nightmare, which began in April, came to an end, thanks to intervention by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
They were finally able to return on Nov 1 with help from the Pengerang MP’s office.
Sharing her experience, Nurazlin said while they were treated well initially with the employer providing lodging and meals, things quickly took a darker turn when they were denied payment for their work.
Upon their request to return to Malaysia, the employer threatened to charge them RM30,000 in exchange for their departure.
“We were forced to work as scammers. We tried to leave but they refused to let us go,” she said.
Mohd Sofi’s father, Khairul Fadzilah Awang, urged the public not to be easily swayed by seemingly attractive job offers.
“Please think carefully before making decisions; always listen to your parents. My son and his friend have learnt a hard lesson.”
Azalina said the process of bringing the two, who are from her constituency, was not easy, as significant time and costs were involved.
“Thanks to the cooperation of the Cambodian authorities and the Embassy’s efforts, they were able to return within a week.”
