KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of job scams will receive special attention during the Asean Summit 2025, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifudin Nasution Ismail who addressed the Dewan Negara on Thursday (April 4).
In his statement, he mentioned that Malaysia, as the chair of the summit next year, has decided to focus on combating job scams, recognizing it as a global crisis.
He highlighted, “We are leading the way by including this topic as one of the main agendas for the upcoming Asean Summit that we will be hosting next year. We have also proposed for the issue to be among the 10 main agendas.”
Previously classified as fraud by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), job scams are now considered a form of human trafficking, explained the minister.
He added, “This crisis is not limited to our nation alone but is also affecting countries regionally and globally.”
In response to a question posed by Senator Rita Sarimah Anak Patrick Insol regarding job scam statistics and government efforts to combat the issue, Saifudin revealed that the police have received 362 reports since September 2021, involving 470 victims.
Out of these victims, 331 have been rescued, while 139 are still stranded in the countries where they fell victim to the scams.
To increase public awareness about job scams, a joint effort will be undertaken with Malaysia Airports Berhad, announced Saifudin.
He disclosed, “We will establish counters at the country’s exit points to provide information on job scams and human trafficking, enabling individuals to verify the legitimacy of job offers before leaving the country and potentially becoming victims.”
Additionally, electronic displays will be set up at exit points as a final reminder to the public to stay vigilant against such crimes, the minister stated.- Bernama
