A TOTAL of 260 Malaysians have been rescued from job scam syndicates between April and September this year, Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told the Dewan Rakyat today.

They were rescued from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, he said in response to a question from Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh.

“One hundred and seventy-one victims have been brought home while 90 are still waiting to be sent home,” Saifuddin said.

“Most of the victims – 139 of them – were rescued from Cambodia, and 59 are still waiting to be sent home from there.”

Saifuddin said a task force was set up on September 1 for the repatriation of the scam victims.

Saifuddin said the authorities are still tracing the whereabouts of 88 more who have been reported missing by their families.

“Many of them are lied to and promised lavish things while some go on holiday and get scammed.

“There are also some who don’t want to come back but I can’t disclose why here,” he said.

Saifuddin said the ministry needs money to bring the Malaysians home.

“Previously, AirAsia had sent a plane to repatriate 47 Malaysians from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on humanitarian grounds.

“We have brought up the issue of the lack of funds in Budget 2023 and we hope to get additional funds,” Saifuddin added. – October 4, 2022.