Check the validity of job offers, avoid becoming a victim of syndicate employment fraud: PM

SHAH ALAM - Malaysians are advised to look over the job offers they received to avoid becoming a victim of syndicate employment fraud, the Prime Minister says.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the people should always be careful and alert with job offers abroad by checking the validity of the job offers abroad through Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra).

He said the government was committed to helping and resolving the issues of Malaysians who were stranded abroad, following the work fraud syndicate as informed by the Malaysian Community Crime Care (MCCC) and Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO).

He also said a meeting had been held by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad with MCCC President Tan Sri Musa Hassan and MHO Secretary General Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim as well as family members of the victims of the syndicate for detailed information to present in the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

“I would like to stress that the Government is very concerned and is taking the fate of Malaysians stranded in several countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia seriously.

“Efforts are being implemented through all available channels and the Government will make sure they are brought home safely,” he assured.

On Sept 13, Malaysian ambassador to Cambodia Datuk Eldeen Mohd Hashin said 29 Malaysians who were victims of fake job scams in Cambodia would be brought back to Malaysia in stages beginning at the end of September.

He explained that the latest group of 29 was part of 53 duped victims who were rescued but had to be detained because they did not have valid travel documents.

So far, 24 returned to Malaysia last Friday.

Eldeen also said 30 more Malaysians had been reported as victims of a job scam syndicate in Cambodia and efforts are underway to trace their whereabouts.