MALAYSIAN and Thai police have agreed to co-operate in tackling job scams, following a high-level meeting in Bangkok between Bukit Aman CID director Abd Jalil Hassan and Thailand Assistant Police Chief Surachate Hakparn.

Abd Jalil said they agreed to share information and data to identify criminal networks, current trends and the latest scam tactics.

“We agreed that the information of victims of overseas employment scams must be passed on to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian police,” Abd Jalil said.

In the meantime, Abd Jalil asked that civil society groups channel any information on people trapped overseas to the police or the Foreign Affairs Ministry so that action can be taken.

“We hope that the relatives and families of the victims will also take the same steps,” he said.

In addition, Abd Jalil said the forces will also target ringleaders, whether in Malaysia or Thailand.

He said based on statistics and police reports made by families of employment fraud victims in Malaysia, there are now 19 Malaysians identified as being in Thailand.

“We have received the green light to bring home five Malaysians who were successfully rescued by Thai authorities with the cooperation of the Malaysian embassy,” Abd Jalil said, adding that he was told the Thai authorities would help 14 other Malaysian victims to return to their families as soon as possible.

In addition to Thailand, Abd Jalil said Bukit Aman is also working with the Asean police (Aseanapol), Interpol, and authorities in China, Cambodia and Myanmar.

He said Chinese authorities have the technological expertise to track down ringleaders.

Abd Jalil also advised people to check with the authorities to confirm job offers with unusually high salaries.

“Although it will take some time (verification process) but it is worth it because you will not become a victim of employment fraud,” he said. – Bernama, February 19, 2023.