PETALING JAYA: They eagerly go abroad, convinced they haven’t been scammed – only to find out they have, indeed, been duped and need help returning home.
“A husband begged me to talk his wife out of going, but she didn’t listen. Days later, she called asking to be rescued,” said MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
Based on his experience handling these cases, Chong said that many of those who go abroad are lured by promises of quick money or opportunities to clear their debts.
“Some of them knew exactly what they were getting into.
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“They went because they wanted to make fast cash or owed money to Ah Long,” he said, referring to loan sharks.
“More than half of the individuals who went abroad did so voluntarily,” he said.
However, fewer Malaysians are falling prey to overseas job scam syndicates, as awareness campaigns and government action are having an effect, he said.
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The number of such cases has dropped significantly compared with the peak in 2022 and 2023, when hundreds of families sought help rescuing relatives trapped in scam centres abroad.
Chong said the government has allocated RM10mil to rescue Malaysians trapped overseas; however, he believes such aid could unintentionally encourage some to take the risk, believing they will be rescued if things go wrong.
Malaysians returning from scam centres are not charged with any crimes unless the embassy finds evidence of serious crimes or syndicate involvement, he said.
“Even if some took part in illegal activities, the offences occurred overseas, so only the host country, such as Cambodia, has jurisdiction,” he added.
“In my view, most who go there do it for money. When they return, many claim to be victims, but not all are,” he said, adding that the real victims were the families who suffered emotionally and financially trying to bring their loved ones home.
