Malaysia has taken significant steps to combat the growing threat of online fraud and scams by launching a series of outreach programs aimed at educating the public. As the chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia is emphasizing the need for a collective regional approach to tackle this pervasive issue. Humanitarian groups have echoed this call, urging ASEAN countries to unite in their efforts against online scams that industry analysts estimate are worth billions of dollars.
Last week, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan praised China and Thailand for their successful efforts in securing the release of thousands of scam victims trapped in Myawaddy, Myanmar. This development comes as Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs successfully facilitated the repatriation of 15 Malaysian job scam victims on Monday, February 24. The Myanmar authorities handed these victims over to their Thai counterparts on February 12, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between nations to rescue individuals ensnared by criminal syndicates.
Criminal syndicates have been trafficking thousands of people from around the world to scam centers across Southeast Asia, particularly along the Thai-Myanmar frontier. Victims, lured by promises of lucrative jobs, have found themselves forced to work in illegal online fraud operations. In January, Thai authorities launched a renewed clampdown on these operations following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who had been enticed to Thailand with an acting opportunity.
Families of Malaysians still trapped in scam compounds in Myanmar are imploring Thailand to intensify its efforts to rescue their loved ones. One desperate father voiced his plea:
"I hope the (Chinese) army can go into the scam compound where my son is, and force them to surrender so that my son can come back."
The United Nations has reported extensively on the prevalence of scam centers across Southeast Asia, underscoring the international dimension of the crisis. In response, network operators have removed thousands of scam-related posts, while Thailand has taken decisive action by cutting cross-border electricity and internet connections to several locations in Myanmar. These measures aim to cripple the infrastructure supporting the scam operations.
As ASEAN chair, Malaysia will continue to spotlight the issue of job scam syndicates operating across the region. The bloc plans to strengthen cooperation among its ten member countries through ASEANAPOL, ASEAN's police organization, to more effectively address online fraud and scams. This collaboration reflects a growing recognition that a united regional approach is crucial for tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by these criminal enterprises.
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