Kuala Lumpur:Lucrative job offers abroad are increasingly becoming traps set by international criminal syndicates, luring job seekers into deceptive schemes where they are forced into online scam activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Dr. Mustapha Ahmad Marican, chairman of the Southeast Asia Welfare and Education Foundation (SEAWEED), emphasized that young people, particularly school leavers, are among the most vulnerable to these scams due to enticing offers of high salaries and attractive perks advertised on social media.

Victims often realize they have been deceived only upon arrival in the foreign country, where their passports are confiscated, their movements restricted, and they are coerced into work vastly different from what was promised. Once caught in the syndicate's hold, victims are forced to comply out of fear for their safety.

Mustapha recounted his involvement in the rescue of 47 Malaysians, including 40 Sarawakians, who fell victim to a job scam in Cambodia in early 2019. The group had initially been offered positions in the luxury hospitality sector with promises of a monthly salary of USD 1,200, including accommodation and meals. Instead, they found themselves involved in online gambling scams before being detained by Cambodian authorities.

He noted that the victims were fortunate not to have been taken to border areas, which are more difficult to access for rescue operations. Mustapha also expressed concern about the potential for more severe exploitation, such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation of female victims.

In response, Mustapha advised job seekers from Sarawak to verify the legitimacy of overseas job offers, checking the employer's authenticity, work location, and contract terms. He stressed the importance of consulting relevant authorities, like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and discussing decisions with family members before proceeding.

Mustapha warned against quickly trusting offers of high salaries and urged consideration of safety and future prospects, noting that ample job opportunities exist within Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

For his efforts in rescuing Sarawakians from Cambodia, Mustapha, a former Royal Malaysian Navy member, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, at the 'Malam Warisan Samudera,' a charity gala organized by the Sarawak branch of the Royal Malaysian Navy Veterans Association.