Cops identify local suspect in Cambodian jobs scam

KUCHING: Police have identified a local suspect in the jobs scam which landed 47 Malaysians in a Cambodian prison.

Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department ( CCID) head Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said the breakthrough was made following a probe into the reports lodged by several of the victims.

“We have received eight reports on the alleged scam as of today (Tuesday), up from four reports the previous day. The reports were made by six males and two females,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said initial investigation revealed the victims, including 40 Sarawakians, had been promised jobs in Cambodia with a monthly salary of between US$ 1,200 and US$ 1,500.

“The victims were asked to deposit a sum between US$ 200 and US$ 300 into an account belonging to a local individual, to serve as processing fee,” he said, adding the victims came to know of the job offers through Facebook and WeChat.

Mustafa Kamal revealed that upon arriving separately in Siem Reap between October and November last year, the victims were taken to a house and told they were not allowed to leave.

“Food and drinks were provided to them. They were also asked to surrender their mobile phone and passport to a group of men who were supposed to take care of them.

“Based on information from the victims, they were ordered to memorise scripts and impersonate bank officers and court officials, among others, as part of a Macau Scam operation.”

He added the victims were also asked to promote an illegal online gambling scheme through telephone calls and text messages to a list of phone numbers provided to them.

The Malaysians were arrested by Cambodian police on Dec 11 and held at Banteay Meanchey provincial prison until last Friday, when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen approved their release after determining the 47 Malaysians had been duped by a job agency syndicate.