The police are expected to complete five more investigations in connection with a recent Cambodian job scam.
Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Supt Musfata Kamal Gani Abdullah said once they have enough evidence, the cases would be handed over to the deputy public prosecutor.
“Job scams are increasing even after 40 Sarawakian job seekers were detained in Banteay Meachey Provincial Prison following in Cambodia. People should be more careful,” he said.
Mustafa said in a press conference after meeting with Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex, yesterday.
He said as of last May 6, there are 35 job scam cases which involved the loss of RM51,000. Last year there are 38 job scams, and 30 in 2017.
“This year we have arrested 16 people involved in job scams, and we believe the figure will increase,” he said.
Mustafa said despite their efforts in advising members of the public to beware of high-paying jobs offered on social media, people still end up being victimised.
“Even the Macau scams keep on increasing, although we use the Penal Code, Crime Prevention Act and Money Laundering Act against the suspects,” he said.
He revealed that Sarawak recorded the eighth highest number of commercial crimes.
“The people end up being victims because of their carelessness. The public must not be easily fooled and simply give their money to those they hardly know,” he said.
On her part, Fatimah urged youths, especially those looking for jobs, to be more cautious when accepting jobs offered online so as not to fall victims like what happened to the 40 Sarawakians in Cambodia.
“It does not make sense when you are asked to do simple tasks and you are offered a high salary,” she said, adding that there were also job scam cases in Turkey, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
On the Cambodia job scam, two suspects were charged under the Section 417 of the Penal Code.
