Lau (right) and his team receive a complaint from the victim and his mother.
SIBU: The Sarawak National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) has exposed a sophisticated fraud syndicate that deceived young people in the state through bogus “work and study” schemes abroad.
One of the victims, a young man from Kuching, lost more than RM13,000 after he was lured by a social media advertisement offering attractive prospects.
The ad offered him a chance to work while studying overseas with a monthly salary of RM4,550, free tuition, accommodation, and fully covered airfares.
What seemed like a golden opportunity soon turned into a nightmare when the promises proved to be a scam targeting unsuspecting youths.
Sarawak MTPN president Lucas Lau said the victim had signed an agreement with a local agency in Kuching on December 1, 2024, before departing for a neighbouring country in early January 2025.
“Upon arrival, all assurances began to fall apart,” Lau said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 2).
“The foreign partner agency not only refused to reimburse the flight expenses but also compelled the victim to sign a new contract, which imposed a penalty of RM16,250 if he failed to complete the 15-month term.”
The supposed “work and study” arrangement turned out to be a full-time job at a restaurant, with working hours from 11am to 10pm and no study component whatsoever.
The situation worsened when the victim questioned the unreasonable salary deductions. He was threatened and eventually dismissed in April 2025.
He was also forced to sign a resignation letter, an act clearly amounting to extortion.
"Subsequently, the threats continued, including intimidation with the use of thugs, should the victim refuse to pay the penalty.
"Out of fear, he made payments and even covered hostel rental that had originally been promised as free,” Lau explained.
To make matters worse, the threats extended to the victim’s mother after she returned to Kuching in June 2025.
A representative of the agency repeatedly contacted her, pressuring and threatening her to pay the remaining penalty, even making veiled threats about her son’s future.
Under emotional distress, the mother made three separate transfers amounting to a total loss of RM13,893.75.
Realising the extent of the exploitation, the family lodged an official complaint at the MTPN Kuching office recently.
Lau stressed that the agency’s actions were clearly in breach of several laws — including the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599) for deceptive trade practices, the Penal Code (Act 574) for extortion and intimidation, and the Employment Act 1955, which protects workers’ rights.
“MTPN will not remain silent while young Sarawakians are deceived, forced into slave-like labour, and their families intimidated into paying unlawful sums.
"This is not merely a consumer issue — it is a matter of human exploitation and abuse,” he said.
He added that MTPN Sarawak had acted swiftly by documenting the victim’s case in detail, providing legal advice, and cooperating closely with the authorities to ensure that those behind the syndicate are brought to justice.
“MTPN’s role goes beyond offering advice. We are here to protect consumers trapped in fear.
"We urge other victims not to suffer in silence but to come forward and lodge reports at any MTPN branch in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Sarikei or Miri,” he said.
MTPN advised the public to be cautious of job or study-abroad offers that promise high salaries and lavish benefits without proper verification.
Lau said the case serves as a stark reminder that such “work-study” scams not only rob victims of their money but also their dignity and future.
“Always confirm with government agencies such as the Ministry of Human Resources or the Ministry of Higher Education. Do not be taken in by enticing promises that lead only to hardship,” he warned.
