THIRTY scam cases involving unlicensed domestic helper recruitment, with RM269,772 in losses, were recorded between January 2023 and October 2025, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
He said police data showed 11 cases reported in 2023, followed by four in 2024.
The figure rose sharply to 15 cases as of October this year, indicating renewed activity by syndicates exploiting the public through digital platforms, fake advertisements and online offers for non-existent helpers.
Abdul Rahman said the Human Resources Ministry stood firm in its efforts to curb such scams, protect victims and ensure that only licensed recruitment agencies are allowed to operate.
Under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981 (Act 246), enforced by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM), only licensed Private Employment Agencies (APS) are authorised to handle recruitment, including the hiring and placement of foreign domestic helpers.
Abdul Rahman stressed that unlicensed recruitment is an offence under Section 7(2) of Act 246, which carries a maximum fine of RM200,000, a jail term of up to three years or both.
Between 2023 and 2025, JTKSM prosecuted 13 cases involving APS for various breaches such as operating without a licence under Section 7, failing to comply with licence conditions under Section 9 and not carrying identification documents during recruitment activities under Section 13D.
“The courts imposed a total of RM205,000 in fines for these offences,” he said yesterday.
Abdul Rahman was responding to Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), who asked for the number of scam cases involving domestic help services, including online scams reported over the past three years, as well as the measures taken to tackle fraud, safeguard victims and ensure only licensed agencies operated in the sector.
He said although the law is clear and the penalties are substantial, offenders continue to take the risk.
“In the digital space, we are working together with the Digital Ministry, police and the Immigration Department through integrated operations,” he said, adding that these efforts were crucial to detecting and stopping fraudulent schemes early.
He said enforcement agencies were coordinating to verify the authenticity of online recruitment offers while monitoring compliance with Act 246.
