Malaysian victim uncovers dark world of online scams in Myawaddy

Chew (left) telling his experience of being forced to work for a scam syndicate in Myanmar during a press conference held at a food court in Kota Tinggi, Johor on Dec 31. Looking on is Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen (second from right).

KOTA TINGGI: What began as an overseas job opportunity turned into a year-long nightmare for a 26-year-old Malaysian who was forced to work for an online scam syndicate in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

The victim, who wanted to be known only as Chew, said he was among 31 Malaysians safely repatriated on Dec 20 after being rescued from a scam compound during a security raid by Myanmar authorities.