KUALA LUMPUR: Police have managed to cripple four job scam syndicates involving 12 Malaysians who had been actively fooling their own countrymen into being trafficked overseas with offers of well-paying employment.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the police crackdown followed a series of integrated operations aimed at putting an end to such syndicates by targeting the "recruiters" since August.
"We conducted four operations that brought about the end of four syndicates operating in the Klang Valley and Johor.
"In these operations, we arrested eight men and four women, all locals," he told Berita Harian.
"The recruiters offered a lucrative salary, with all expenses such as accommodation and other facilities borne by the 'employers', and these made the offers seem attractive. The 'employers' also offered to take care of all travel arrangements from Malaysia to the destination country, including getting passports for those who did not have them.
"Most of the victims were attracted to working in a foreign land, including in other Asean nations and in Dubai (the United Arab Emirates).
"Those targeted by these syndicates usually lack knowledge and awareness about such scams. Most victims are not highly educated, have few skills and do not keep up to date with current issues."
Razarudin said Malaysian police were cooperating with Interpol and Aseanapol, as well as other law enforcement agencies, in an effort to trace and rescue victims being held overseas.
He said police also worked with the Foreign Ministry to expedite the process of rescuing and repatriating victims.
"Among the efforts being taken is to negotiate and request help from the authorities in the foreign countries involved tracing and rescuing Malaysian victims of such syndicates, as well as expediting their repatriation.
"We are also strengthening cooperation with such agencies to ensure ease of any future requests for help and coordination in joint investigations, as well as empowering continuous cooperation by sharing of information and data."
Razarudin advised Malaysians to be wary when accepting seemingly lucrative job offers, whether in Malaysia or overseas.
He said they need to ensure that the offers were legitimate, including by checking with the Foreign Ministry when it comes to job offers from another country.
"Make sure you get all the details of the recruitment company, the employer and the job scope before you make any decision. Also, ensure that whatever contract or agreement you are given is clear and that you scrutinise it before you sign it.
"If you believe you have been trapped, as soon as you are able to, contact the local authorities, the Malaysian embassy or Malaysian representative (in whatever country you are in), and ask family members to lodge police reports here."