KUALA LUMPUR – The government has disclosed that some Malaysians who fell victim to job scam syndicates in Myanmar may not want to return as they have risen to senior positions within these criminal operations.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan revealed that, as of January 21, 2025, a total of 271 Malaysians had been successfully rescued and repatriated – 114 from Myanmar and 157 from Thailand. However, 140 Malaysians are still in Myanmar, while 14 remain in Thailand, with authorities actively working to track their whereabouts.
While many were initially deceived by false job offers promising lucrative salaries, the minister acknowledged that not all of them are victims.
“It is important to note that some of these individuals may not wish to return to Malaysia as they hold senior positions within the syndicates, such as managers,” the minister said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday to Oscar Ling’s (Sibu-PH) question on the number of Malaysians trapped in Myanmar and Thailand due to job scam syndicates, including statistics by state.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that some Malaysians may have returned home without informing authorities, leading to discrepancies in reported numbers.
It was also noted that Johor recorded the highest number of Malaysians involved in job scams, accounting for 19% of cases, followed by Selangor (13%) Sarawak (12%), Kuala Lumpur (12%), Perak (11%), Penang (9%), Sabah (6%), Negri Sembilan (5%), Kedah (3%), Pahang (3%), Melaka (2%), Kelantan (1%), Terengganu (1%), and Perlis (0.2%).
Criminal networks operating in conflict zones
According to Mohamad, many of these syndicates operate in northern Myanmar, a region beyond the control of the Myanmar central government and instead ruled by various armed ethnic groups. Thailand, meanwhile, functions primarily as a transit point, where victims are recruited and then transported into Myanmar.
Given these challenges, Malaysia has been working closely with local authorities in Myanmar and Thailand through its diplomatic missions in both countries to locate and facilitate the safe return of its citizens.
In response to the growing threat of job scams, the government has ramped up its public awareness campaigns. The Foreign Ministry said that preventive initiatives are being conducted through various channels, including social media, interviews, and outreach programmes such as Hari Terbuka and Madani Rakyat.
Additionally, the Communications Ministry, the Information Department, and Malaysia Airports Bhd are collaborating to disseminate anti-scam messages more widely. These efforts include broadcasting warnings on radio and television, displaying messages on digital billboards at airports, and using Info-on-Wheels mobile units to reach communities directly.
However, the government has not issued an official travel advisory for Myanmar or Thailand.
Malaysia is also leveraging its 2025 Asean Chairmanship to push for a regional response to the issue. The recent Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, held in Langkawi on January 18 to 19, 2025, included discussions on job scams, human trafficking, and online fraud as part of broader efforts to tackle transnational crime. – February 21, 2025