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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 100 victims urge police to act on investment scam
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 victims allegedly duped by an investment scam have come forward to urge the police to take action against the syndicate responsible. The victims gathered outside the Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department at Menara KPJ here this morning, hoping the authorities would expedite the investigation into the case. One of the victims, who only wanted to be known as Vincent, 38, a programmer, said he had dreams of getting married and buying a house. "I learned about the investment scheme through several friends and decided to join in. "I invested a total of RM120,000 before the company abruptly converted our investments into an unknown cryptocurrency with no real value," he said, adding that he has now lost his life savings. Vincent said it was difficult to accept that he had to start saving from scratch. "This was my life savings. How am I supposed to support my parents and my sister, who is still studying, as the sole breadwinner?" he asked. Meanwhile, retired accountant Alan Tan, 58, said he invested more than RM150,000 in the scheme back in 2020. "Without warning, they converted our investments into a cryptocurrency that had no value. "There was no one we could turn to when this happened. I just hope the police will step in and make an example out of them," he said, adding that he and other victims would only be satisfied if those responsible were sentenced to more than 25 years in jail and several strokes of the cane. Tan said many victims had lost their life savings and were forced to sell their homes just to make ends meet because of the scam. Another victim, who only wanted to be known as Ganesh, 50, said he, along with his family members and close friends, had invested nearly RM2 million. "My wife and I now don't know how to face them. "Many of them invested their life savings because, at first, the scheme offered good returns. We were shocked when the company later began paying returns in the form of an unknown cryptocurrency," he said. Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation had received complaints from 209 victims involving losses amounting to more than RM82.16 million. "All of these victims have lodged police reports. "Based on our checks, the company is owned by a Malaysian and also employed other locals as marketing agents to promote the syndicate's schemes," he said, adding that the victims are urging the police to expedite investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rights group urges Anwar to act, 28 Malaysians trapped in Myanmar human trafficking crisis
PUTRAJAYA: A rights group has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to fully leverage Malaysia's Asean chairmanship to address the ongoing human trafficking crisis involving Malaysians across the region. The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MH0) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said many Malaysians remain detained and confined as a result of deception and manipulation by criminal trafficking networks. "MHO has received numerous alarming reports of Malaysians being lured by fraudulent job offers and subsequently trafficked to countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where they face inhumane treatment, exploitation, and illegal detention. "Therefore, we believe that Malaysia's leadership as chair of Asean this year presents a timely and strategic opportunity to comprehensively and effectively elevate the human trafficking issue to the regional agenda," he told reporters at Wisma Putra here. He shared details of 28 victims who are currently held in Myanmar. Asean leaders, meeting in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week, pledged to intensify regional cooperation against transnational crimes — particularly online scams and human trafficking — through the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). Thousands of people have been lured by social media posts advertising high-paying jobs in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, only to find themselves trapped in cyber scam operations—some held against their will and forced to defraud others online. Hishamuddin said Malaysia's leadership in Asean gives it a key role to lead unified policies and cooperation between countries to tackle the rising problem of transnational crimes, like human trafficking. "Our nation's pivotal role in Asean leadership positions us to spearhead the development of unified policies, enhance cross-border collaboration, and coordinate collective action against this escalating transnational crime," he said after handing over an appeal letter to Anwar via the Foreign Ministry. Hishamuddin also proposed the establishment of a special ASEAN task force to tackle the growing issue of human trafficking in the region. MHO also urged all affected countries to demonstrate full commitment by taking swift and decisive action to dismantle all known scam centres operating within their jurisdictions, he said. "These illicit operations must not be permitted to continue threatening the safety and welfare of Asean citizens," Hishamuddin said. Last November, Malaysia announced it would make human trafficking a key priority during its Asean chairmanship in 2025.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian held in Myanmar scam centre for 3 years, family seeks help
PUTRAJAYA: A Malaysian man has been trapped in a scam centre in Myanmar for the past three years, with his current condition still unknown. His aunt is now appealing for government intervention to rescue him. The aunt, who hails from Sabah, said the family lodged a police report in October 2022 and had also sought assistance from the Foreign Ministry, but there has been no progress in securing his release. "We were told to wait, as there were many similar cases," she said when met earlier today. Despite filing official reports and visiting Wisma Putra twice, she said the family had not received any concrete assistance. This lack of response prompted her to seek help from the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). She said that her nephew, now 33 years old, last made contact three days ago, when he shared his location with his mother. "He had travelled to Thailand with two friends for a holiday. However, the family lost contact with him three days into the trip. "Ten days later, he called me and said he needed help. They had been scammed and didn't know where they were," she said. She said that her nephew and his two friends were being held captive and were only being fed once a day. "We are pleading with the government to help rescue my nephew and others who are still trapped there," she added. The aunt was among 28 family members of victims who gathered at Wisma Putra today.
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Daily Express
Sandakan man falls victim to human trafficking
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: The family member (right) showing the video of the victim. Kota Kinabalu: A 23-year-old man from Sandakan has fallen victim to a human trafficking syndicate and is believed held captive in Cambodia, according to the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). Its Sabah Chief Operating Officer, Capt (R) Jerry Jaimeh, said the victim flew to Peninsular Malaysia on Feb 10 for a job opportunity. However, he was deceived and believed trafficked to Cambodia by a syndicate operating across Southeast Asia. 'The victim realised he had been tricked and was forced to work under exploitative conditions. He managed to contact his family for help before communication was cut off,' Jerry told a press conference, Tuesday. Family members, who were present, said they were alerted to the victim's situation after being contacted by his former employer a few days ago. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sandakan man trapped by Cambodia scam syndicate; Family pleads for rescue
Jerry (second from left) and the family show a video call with the victim, who remains captive in Cambodia. KOTA KINABALU (May 27): Two siblings are pleading with authorities to help rescue their younger brother, who has fallen victim to an international kidnapping syndicate operating in Cambodia. The family, who wish to be identified only as the Hao family from Sandakan, revealed that their 23-year-old brother is currently being held by the syndicate at an undisclosed location in Cambodia. 'Our brother had been working in Kuala Lumpur for some time. He left for Cambodia on February 10 without informing us. We only found out about his situation a week ago when his employer in Kuala Lumpur reached out,' said the 28-year-old sister when met at the Malaysian Humanitarian International Organisation (MHO) office in Asia City on Tuesday. Upon learning the news, the sister checked her brother's iPad, which he had left at home. The device, linked to his iPhone, showed travel details and photos indicating he boarded a flight to Cambodia at 6am on February 10. 'We believe he left with an agent, along with nine other Malaysians,' she said. The family still does not know what type of job their brother had been promised that lured him overseas. Upon arrival in Cambodia, he and others were confined in an apartment and forced to work as scammers. 'He eventually managed to contact someone he trusted and paid them to inform the Cambodian authorities, but the syndicate found out. They beat him and others who tried to escape and forced them to sign new contracts and record staged videos claiming they were safe and free,' she added. The victim, now forced to work under the syndicate, was given a phone through which he secretly contacts his family using Telegram — an app commonly used by such syndicates. 'He tries not to show his fear, but we know he's terrified. We just want him home safely,' his sister said. Meanwhile, MHO operational officer Captain (R) Jerry Jaimeh stated that their team in Cambodia, led by Azirul Shafiq, is actively working to locate and rescue the victims. 'A rescue operation is still feasible as they remain within Cambodian borders,' said Jerry, adding that most victims are young Malaysians from rural areas aged between 18 and 25. He urged the public to be cautious about overseas job offers to avoid falling prey to similar scams. In March, this year, MHO rescued a young man from Keningau who was a victim of a job scam syndicate in Cambodia. MHO received a report from the victim's family on March 25 and immediately launched a rescue mission. They coordinated with the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the family to facilitate his release.
