KUALA LUMPUR: An unlicensed employment recruitment agency has allegedly duped five victims out of almost RM100,000 over the hiring of domestic workers.
One of the victims, Bryan Yee, said he lost about RM18,000 to the agency.
"I saw the agency's advertisement providing domestic workers on Facebook in November last year.
"In February, I obtained their services and paid RM8,000 for the domestic worker.
"However, the domestic worker provided by the agency was not good and eventually ran away," he told a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong on Tuesday (July 11).
Before the domestic worker ran away, Yee said he discovered that she had stolen his wife's undergarments.
"We paid her salary through the agency but I later discovered that the agency failed to pay her.
"She eventually ran away," he said.
The agency then offered Yee a chance to invest in the company and he obliged by transferring RM10,000 with the promise of a RM3,000 profit.
"However, after a few months, there was no refund for the domestic worker who ran away or a return on the investment," he added.
Another victim, Deniss Low, said she paid a total of RM22,000 to the agency after seeing their advertisement on Facebook.
"We had an agreement that the domestic worker would be paid a salary of RM2,300 per month but the salary was paid through the agency.
"I later discovered that the agency did not even pay the domestic worker's salary and unfortunately, none of them provided satisfactory services," she said.
Low said she demanded a refund but the agency kept dragging its feet over the matter.
"It got to a point where the agency could not be contacted.
"In June, the agency posted a notice that it was filing for bankruptcy and lawyers will contact customers over refunds in July. However, it was not to be," she said.
Low said she posted a warning on Facebook for people to be wary of the agency.
"The agency owner even sent me a private message, asking me to stop if I wanted a refund.
"I hope the authorities can take action against the agency," she said.
They were among five victims who have lodged police reports against the agency.
Meanwhile, Chong said all five victims lost a total of RM96,000.
"We believe there are more victims of this unlicensed agency.
"Their modus operandi is to provide domestic workers that will eventually run away and the customers will not get their money back.
"Most of the domestic workers would last about three months before running away.
"The public should only deal with legitimate and licensed recruitment agencies," he said.
Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia (Papa) president Datuk Foo Yong Hooi, who was also present, said such illegal agencies would target those who are desperate to obtain domestic workers.
"As the company is unlicensed, most of the domestic workers provided are probably those without valid documents.
"There are over 600 companies qualified to provide domestic workers and those interested can check the list on the Labour Department's website," he said.
