Latest news with #MalaysianInternationalHumanitarianOrganisation
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Two Malaysians believed to be held by Cambodian syndicates
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) is appealing to Cambodian authorities to rescue two Malaysians believed to be victims of job scam syndicates. MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the victims, a 25-year-old man, whose name is withheld, and another man identified as Chin, 35, are feared to be in danger after losing contact with their families in recent days. He said the first victim, who was previously employed in an IT company in Kuala Lumpur, had travelled to Cambodia on July 8 after being offered a customer service job. Neither he nor his family were aware of human trafficking activities in the country. "His father, Ravi (not real name), told us the family only found out about such scams a week after he left, when a friend advised them to seek the help of MHO. "His mother fainted upon learning of the situation," he said in a press conference today. Ravi said his son initially contacted the family to say he was safe, but later pleaded for help to return home after being subjected to abuse, long working hours, and penalties by the syndicate. "For the past three to four days, there has been no communication from him," he said, adding that the family lodged a police report on July 28. The second case involves Chin, who had left for Dubai on March 15 to work as a restaurant assistant but was later discovered to be in Cambodia. The family's last contact with him was on May 12, during which he appeared to be under watch. "According to a family friend, he attempted to escape and return to Malaysia, but communication ceased three days ago. "His last known location was near the Thailand-Cambodia border, at a place known as O-smach Resort," Hishamuddin said. MHO has decided to release Chin's photograph to the public in hopes of obtaining information on his whereabouts, while Ravi's son's image will be withheld as the organisation believes a rescue is possible without public disclosure. Hishamuddin urged anyone with knowledge of the victims' locations, to come forward. "Our concept is not to pay any ransom. The Cambodian task force has been very cooperative in conducting rescue operations once given accurate information," he said. He added that MHO is coordinating with the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia to secure the victims' safe return.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Police question 37 victims, 3 witnesses over RM8.4 million losses
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded 40 statements, involving 37 victims and three witnesses, in connection with an investment fraud scheme that caused total losses of over RM8.4 million. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the case was first exposed by Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, through 43 police reports filed since 2023. He said the fraudulent investment scheme was allegedly operated by a company claiming to have access to billions of ringgit worth of gold and cash funds overseas. However, investigations revealed that the company was not registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). 'The investors were promised high returns once the funds (gold) were successfully liquidated after sufficient capital was gathered to cover management and activation costs,' he told a press conference at Menara KPJ here today. Rusdi added that the victims were also misled by an individual, with a 'Datuk Seri' title, who was the main mastermind behind the scheme. This individual claimed to be managing the inheritance of assets belonging to a foreign national. He further added that the victims were influenced by forged documents, complete with fake logos, stamps, and signatures, allegedly issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). 'To date, no investors have received any funds or returns as promised. Instead, they were given various excuses, including technical problems overseas and expired documents,' he said. Rusdi confirmed that 15 investigation papers have been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code, although no arrests have been made thus far. - Bernamapix
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Man tortured, nearly shot by Cambodia scam syndicate
SEPANG: A young man's dream of securing a high-paying job in Cambodia turned into a nightmare when he was forced to work as a phone scammer. His ordeal worsened when he was tortured and sold to another syndicate after refusing to take part in the scams out of guilt. The 25-year-old victim, who requested anonymity, was eventually rescued thanks to the efforts of the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), with the assistance of the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia and local authorities. He returned to Malaysia at midnight via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and revealed that he had nearly been shot for refusing to carry out the fraudulent work. "I was tortured. Then I was sold to another company and almost shot by my boss. My friend was shot in the leg with live ammunition. "They were about to move me when, just in time, Cambodian police raided the place," he said upon arriving at KLIA Terminal 2. Also present were MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim and the victim's mother, Anida Ponirin, 49. The man said that before taking the job offer, he had been working as a bodyguard in Malaysia. He was offered a position in Cambodia by a friend, promising a salary of USD5,000, but upon arrival, his phone and passport were confiscated. To make matters worse, the man from Jengka, Pahang, said his fiancée also fell victim to the same syndicate and was beaten by its members. "My fiancée was beaten badly — she had bruises all over her body. No one could help us. "Before I was rescued, I lost contact with her because she had been moved to a different camp." He urged Malaysians not to fall for overseas job offers, including jobs as bodyguards or offers involving loans, to avoid falling into similar traps. His mother expressed gratitude for her son's safe return and thanked all parties involved in the rescue, hoping other families won't have to endure the same ordeal. Hishamuddin said that when Anida contacted MHO for help, she was advised to file a police report. The organisation then coordinated with the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia, which worked with local authorities to rescue the victim. When asked about the fate of the victim's fiancée, Hishamuddin said efforts were underway to rescue her from the syndicate.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Woman claims fiancé trafficked to Cambodia, held for RM114k ransom
KUALA LUMPUR: A woman has accused her fiancé's former friend of betraying him and handing him over to a human trafficking syndicate in Cambodia, where he is now allegedly being held for a US$27,000 (RM114,000) ransom. Teau, 26, said her 33-year-old fiancé was duped into travelling to Bangkok earlier this month after accepting a job offer from a woman he had helped five years ago. "She was a single mother at the time. My fiancé took pity on her, gave her a place to stay and even lent her money," she said. "But recently, she contacted him out of the blue, offering him a job in Bangkok. He agreed, flew there, and upon arrival, she wasn't there. She claimed she was flying in from KLIA and would meet him the next day. "She never showed up. Instead, my fiancé was taken by an online scam syndicate and trafficked to Cambodia," she said at a press conference organised by the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). Also present were MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim and the organisation's human trafficking unit head Azirul Syafiq Sazali. Teau, who is from Kedah, said she first became aware her fiancé was in danger when she received a desperate WhatsApp message from him pleading for help. She was later contacted by an unknown individual who demanded a RM85,000 ransom. "I refused to pay. Instead, I lodged a report at the Kota Setar district police headquarters on Sunday and sought help from MHO," she said. The syndicate has since increased the ransom demand to RM114,000 for his release and safe return to Malaysia.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Op Sky: MHO calls for wider probe into RM8.47mil civil servant investment scam
KUALA Lumpur: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has called for a cross-agency investigation into a financial investment syndicate that allegedly deceived civil servants through a scheme known as "Refresh and Reload". The case is being investigated as part of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Op Sky, launched earlier this year, which involves a syndicate accused of corruption and money laundering. This syndicate was reportedly run by a financial consultancy company in collaboration with several bank officers. MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation is representing 24 complainants, comprising doctors, teachers and administrators, who collectively suffered losses amounting to RM8.47 million. He said the scheme promised debt settlement services, including clearing borrowers' CCRIS (Central Credit Reference Information System) records, and offered the possibility of applying for loans from four financial institutions simultaneously. "The scheme was operated by two private companies together with a registered association that introduced themselves as financial consultants and former bank officers during closed-door briefings for selected civil servants. "They came with complete documentation and spoke under the name of a financial management organisation. "The desperate victims believed this was a legitimate solution to their mounting debts," he said at a press conference today. Hishamuddin said the victims were guided to simultaneously apply for loans from four banks and added to WhatsApp groups managed by scheme agents who trained them on how to communicate with bank representatives. "Once the loans were approved, the victims were instructed to transfer the funds to the syndicate's account under the pretext of settling existing debts, paying company fees and reinvesting the money to generate monthly loan repayments. "However, after payments were made, the company failed to deliver on its promises, leaving victims burdened with increased financial obligations and legal action from the banks," he said. He said some victims were forced to repay as much as RM12,000 monthly despite earning around RM6,000, while others have received bankruptcy notices. "They were systematically deceived. "Hidden deductions of up to 40 per cent were made without prior explanation, and some were even charged an additional RM10,000 for a so-called vehicle ownership scheme," he said. Hishamuddin said the MACC had previously investigated the matter under Section 23 of the MACC Act, but MHO believes this is insufficient. The MACC had earlier revealed the syndicate's modus operandi, involving simultaneous applications for multiple high-value personal loans backed by fraudulent representations made by financial consultants. Emerging during the Covid-19 pandemic, the syndicate reportedly targeted debt-laden civil servants desperate for financial relief, luring them with promises of credit recovery and short-term investment opportunities. The MACC reported that loans amounting to RM700 million were approved for participants of the scheme, with over RM22 million frozen across 98 companies and individual accounts. As a result, many civil servants are said to be experiencing severe financial stress, some blacklisted by financial institutions and others having received bankruptcy notices. Hishamuddin said the case contains multiple criminal elements and investigations should be expanded to include Sections 420, 403 and 405 of the Penal Code, covering fraud, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation. "Collecting investment funds without an approved prospectus from the Securities Commission violates the Capital Markets and Services Act and the Financial Services Act for unlicensed deposit-taking. "In addition, the fixed-payment vehicle ownership scheme offered to participants was not registered with the Registrar of Interest Schemes as required under Section 3(2) of the Interest Schemes Act."
