International syndicates exploit job seekers and migrants

International criminal syndicates are increasingly using deceptive high-salary job offers abroad to trap victims into online scamming activities. Datuk Dr. Mustapha Ahmad Marican, Chairman of the Southeast Asia Education and Welfare Foundation, warned that young people and school leavers are particularly vulnerable to these social media advertisements. Victims often discover the deception only after arriving at their destination, where their passports are confiscated and their movements are restricted.

In a previous case involving 47 Malaysians in Cambodia, individuals were lured with five-star hotel positions offering US$1,200 per month, only to be forced into online gambling scams. There are growing concerns regarding more severe exploitation, including human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Separately, illegal migrants entering Malaysia are reportedly paying syndicates between RM5,000 and RM15,000 to bypass border controls. According to Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain, Commander of the Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force, these fees vary based on nationality, entry routes, and intended destinations. Authorities have identified at least seven illegal bases along the Golok River used by syndicates to facilitate these entries, noting that smugglers frequently shift to alternative routes like forest paths and riverbanks to evade detection.