The cases of the Myanmar telecom job scam continue to emerge endlessly. The Secretary-General of the Malaysian Humanitarian Organization (MHO), Datuk Hisan, is urging the government to establish a hotline so that victims stranded there can contact Malaysia and receive timely assistance.
He mentioned that when Malaysian victims fall into the hands of illegal groups, it is difficult for them to call their families for help. Therefore, he suggests that the government provide a hotline specifically for cross-border assistance for the victims.
He exemplified that if the government sets up WhatsApp or Telegram application hotlines, victims, even when forced to work, can take the opportunity to contact the government for help, or even send their current location so that the government can have their data.
He added that this move could allow the Thai government and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in Myanmar to intervene and rescue the victims in time.
"As the international community has already intervened and launched large-scale arrests and rescue operations, telecom scam groups have been gradually relocating their activities and even hiding some valuable victims in more secretive locations—now is an emergency moment."
Hisan pointed this out during a press conference with the families of six victims, alongside the organization's public relations officer for the Chinese community, Hu Jieli, and member Azrul Shafiq, on Thursday.
He said that after they and their families handed over the details of 40 victims to the Thai embassy last Wednesday (12th), they received a positive response and requested more information to help rescue the Malaysian victims.
On the other hand, he said the organization neither has nor will advise the families of stranded victims to pay any ransom.
However, he admitted to charging families some fees, such as for airfare and accommodation.
He added that if families cannot pay, a Buddhist organization in Penang will provide assistance.
Azrul Shafiq said several members of the organization will go to Mae Sot as per the Thai government's invitation next week to meet with local police.
Hu Jieli said that even though the authorities have taken the "three disconnections" measures—cutting electricity, internet, and oil—to combat telecom fraud activities, scam groups are still continuing their operations.
He cited Tai Chang as an example, saying that even at night, illegal groups there use black plastic bags to cover windows, creating the false impression that telecom fraud activities have been interrupted.
Younger Brother Trapped in Myanmar for 5 Months Yet to Be Released Brother: Wang Xing Rescued in 3 Days
A 33-year-old man was deceived into falling into a telecom job scam and trapped in Myanmar for 5 months without release, but Chinese artist Wang Xing faced the same situation and was rescued within 3 days, leaving the victim's brother speechless.
The victim from Penang said his brother was deceived last September and is now in the hands of a telecom fraud group in Myanmar, yet to be released.
He said the family was informed that a ransom of RM 21,000 would secure his release, but they were scammed instead.
He noted that the group later demanded RM 30,000 again, but the family ignored it and sought help from the Malaysian Humanitarian Organization.
He declined to comment on Wang Xing's quick rescue but admitted the authorities' treatment of his brother and Wang Xing was quite unfair.
Another Malay female victim said her 37-year-old brother, deceived into going there last November and forced to work, was once locked in a dark room for a week for refusing to commit fraud.
She said, according to her brother, illegal members are now using generators to force victims to continue fraud activities.
As she understands, her brother is now at Poly Park.
Three other Chinese victims and a Thai female victim also appealed through the press conference (aged 30 to 47) for help in bringing the victims back home.
The Thai female victim also requested Thai Prime Minister Phetongtan to have the local government assist in bringing her 47-year-old local Chinese boyfriend back to Malaysia.