MELAKA: Malaysians are apparently highly sought-after by crime syndicates because of their proficiency in various languages and are usually used to scam Westerners.

       This was disclosed in horror stories by Malaysian victims recently rescued from a Myanmar job scam syndicate.

       State MCA Youth chief Denis Lee Han Lim said two of the victims shared their terrifying experiences after their safe return, while others spoke to him over the phone as they waited for immigration clearance by Thai authorities.

       “We’ve handled over 20 cases of job scams since February and are working closely with the police to ensure the safe return of the remaining stranded Malaysians.

       “The victims who sought our help are from all over the country. We managed to render them help with the assistance of the police,” he said in an interview.

       Lee said the victims had worked for the syndicate to scam others after being lured by the false promise of high paying jobs.

       “Malaysians are in high demand due to their proficiency in multiple languages and were tasked with scamming mostly Westerners,” he said, adding that the victims were forced to work under harsh conditions along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

       He said many of those helped were aged between 20 and 37, including couples who were duped into working together.

       “We believe there are still a number of Malaysians stranded in Myanmar and we are working closely with the police to rescue them,” he said.

       The syndicates, added Lee, also demanded ransoms of up to RM60,000 from family members of the victims for their safe return.

       “Hopefully, the family members will lodge police reports without paying,” he said.

       Melaka MCA Crisis Relief Squad chief Yong Fun Juan said the victims were held against their will by the syndicate members as soon as they arrived in Myanmar.

       He said among others, the victims were not allowed to leave their office except to sleep, and were barred from talking to their families back home.

       Yong said the victims were only paid their first month’s salary.

       “They were treated badly if they could not achieve the daily target of cheating others,” he said.

       “The punishment includes being subjected to electric shocks, and given sparse meals and beatings.”