Family seeks help to free son held captive in Myanmar
A man surnamed Tan is believed to be held in Myanmar against his will following an unsuccessful attempt to escape from job scammers-turnedcaptors.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant Michael Kong said Tan’s family had approached Democratic Action Party (DAP) to help secure his safe return.
According to him, Tan left home and informed his mother that he was heading to Kuala Lumpur for work on Feb 5.
“Recently, the family received a video call from the son’s phone, showing him tied up in a room. Shockingly, the caller disclosed that Tan was in Myanmar after an unsuccessful attempt to escape his captors.
“The caller demanded a ransom of RM80,000 for Tan’s safe return to Kuching. When the family couldn’t meet the demand, an alternative offer of RM23,000 was made to allow the son to continue working in Myanmar as a recruiter for other Malaysians on the pretext of working overseas. If payment isn’t made, the caller threatened to relocate the son and coerce him into illegal activities,” said Kong in a statement yesterday.
He said such a distressing situation sheds light on the dangers associated with seeking employment overseas.
Recently, the family received a video call from the son’s phone, showing him tied up in a room. Shockingly, the caller disclosed that Tan was in Myanmar after an unsuccessful attempt to escape his captors.
Michael Kong
According to him, many unsuspecting individuals are lured by promises of lucrative opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in such precarious situations.
“It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising caution and verifying the legitimacy of job offers,” stressed Kong.
He thus urged the public to remain vigilant and refrain from engaging in employment opportunities that may compromise their safety and well-being. He said there are ample job opportunities available locally, adding that it is essential to conduct thorough research and verification before accepting any offers, especially those involving overseas employment.