KUALA LUMPUR: A distraught salesman is pleading for his Vietnamese wife to return home with their three children.

       The 31-year-old woman, who was last seen on Dec 3, allegedly ran away with their two daughters and youngest son.

       Low Yong Jiet, 34, said he last saw his wife, Tran Thi To Tra, 31, last Friday (Dec 3).

       "Her behaviour was normal and I suspected nothing before I left for work.

       "It was at around 1pm that I received a call from my mother, claiming that my wife and our three children were missing," he told reporters at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department on Tuesday (Dec 7).

       He said he rushed home and found that she had taken the three children, their birth certificates, as well as their marriage certificate.

       "Not long after that, several people came looking for her, claiming that she owed them money.

       "This is not the first time she has run away," he said, adding that she has fled three times prior to this.

       He said his biggest worry was that she would sell their children in order to settle her debts.

       "I beg you, please come home with our children.

       "We can talk about all this," he said, adding that he has lodged two police reports over the incident.

       Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said they have received seven similar cases this year.

       "Four Vietnamese, two Thai and a Chinese woman have run away from their spouses here this year.

       "The causes are usually due to gambling, ah long debts and missing home," he said, adding that it was especially tough on the families when these women run away with their children.

       Those with information on the whereabouts of Tran should contact the nearest police station.

       They can also contact Low at 016-622 7786 or Lee Xiao Lin from the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department at 03- 220 33 888.