IPOH: An elderly woman longing for her 30-year-old granddaughter believes she is missing in Myanmar.

       Joss stick seller Lee Soo Har, 73, said her last contact with her granddaughter Chow Lai Wah was before Chinese New Year last year.

       “Towards the end of 2020, my granddaughter left for Myanmar to work as an online money lender.

       “She even sent me some money – about RM300 – and told me that she was doing OK,” Lee told a press conference held by Ipoh Timur MP’s political secretary Steven Tiw yesterday.

       “She has not called home since then,” she said, adding that Chow was a salesperson before she left for Myanmar.

       In between sobs, Lee, from Taman Pasir Puteh, said she was concerned that Chow could have fallen victim to scammers and been forced to work in Myanmar.

       “I am illiterate and do not know much.

       “I heard from friends that there have been many cases of people getting cheated and sent abroad to work,” she said, adding that a report was lodged at the Pasir Puteh police station on May 5.

       “She is about 160cm tall and has long hair. I hope she will be found safe and will get back in touch with me.

       “I raised her like my own daughter since she was just a toddler,” she said, adding that Chow’s mother had abandoned her.

       “When she was about 18, one of her aunts took her to Kuala Lumpur to look for work but she would come back here often,” said Lee, who has eight children.

       Tiw said he had received a number of similar reports related to work scams.

       “I hope people will be careful with job offers that are too good to be true. Don’t be too trusting. Find out more about the offer.

       “We hope those who know of Chow’s whereabouts can get in touch with us at 05-321 9988 or 010-393 2908,” he added.