KUCHING: SUPP Public Complaints Bureau Chief Milton Foo paid a courtesy visit today to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, YB Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sarikei.
The visit served as a platform for Foo to convey his concerns to the federal government through Dato Sri Huang, particularly regarding the rising number of online scams and human trafficking cases linked to dubious overseas job offers.
Foo informed Huang that since taking over the bureau in 2022, he has received more than 100 complaints related to online scams involving mobile phones, with estimated losses exceeding RM10 million.
The scams reported include fraudulent online loan offers, high-return investment schemes, impersonation of law enforcement agencies such as the police, courts, immigration, and the Inland Revenue Board, as well as parcel scams, online merchant fraud, AI-generated video scams, and romance scams.
On the issue of human trafficking, Foo revealed that 45 cases involving Sarawakians have been reported. The victims comprised 31 Chinese, 9 Malays, and 5 Dayaks, aged between 19 and 52. To date, 39 individuals have been rescued and brought home, while 3 remain missing, 2 are still under the control of scam groups abroad, and 1 is currently detained in a foreign immigration facility or prison. The victims hail from various parts of Sarawak, including Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Kapit, Engkilili, Bintulu, and Miri.
Foo explained that many of the victims were lured through job advertisements on social media or were introduced by acquaintances, with some transiting through Singapore before ending up in countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Dubai, and even further afield in Europe and South America.
Dato Sri Huang, who is also the Repok State Assemblyman, expressed deep concern over the growing prevalence of online scams. He assured Foo that he would raise the matter with the federal government and push for a review of existing laws and policies to enhance efforts in combating cybercrime. He stressed that in today’s digital age, where mobile phones are indispensable, anyone could fall victim to scams. While government intervention is vital, he also emphasised the importance of public education in preventing such crimes.
Huang also expressed hope that Foo would continue doing his utmost to assist Sarawakians stranded abroad in returning home and reuniting with their families. He added that he would be willing to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the process if necessary.
By Connie Chieng