PETALING JAYA: What was claimed to be an investment opportunity in Hong Kong turned out to be an instance of human trafficking for the brother of 26-year-old Choo Wei Mun, who wound up in the infamous human trafficking syndicate at KK Garden in Myanmar.
Choo said his brother’s friend had suggested the job, saying that he only had to work for four days in a month and get paid RM18,000.
“My brother told us about a job in Johor, but ended up in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec 13 last year and was brought to Myanmar via a river route,” he said.
Choo added that his brother's girlfriend told his family about him being in danger and said that the people holding him are asking for US$31,000 for his release back to Malaysia.
“We were completely caught off guard because my brother was working as a property agent and did pretty well for himself,” he told the press on Thursday (Jan 18).
The family is hoping that his brother will safely return before the upcoming Chinese New Year, he added.
Meanwhile, 45-year-old Loh Seow Hwa from Kepong is desperately trying to locate his missing wife, who has been running a non-governmental organisation and was working with refugees.
Loh said his wife had taken a trip to Taiwan on Dec 28 last year and was scheduled to come back on Jan 7.
“My wife runs her own refugee school, and a few months ago she mentioned about some funding from the United Nations (UN). This was the reason she was travelling,” he said.
Loh added that he last spoke to her on Jan 3 about her coming back on Jan 7.
“But I have not heard from her since, and her WhatsApp ‘last seen’ is dated Jan 4.The only indication of her whereabouts is a Western Union money transfer from Laos to the nanny,” he said.
On this, Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) public relations officer Daniel Khoo said that they are now trying to locate the victim with the cooperation of the government and the embassy.
"We will discuss with the authorities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Myanmar to find the best and safest solution to bring Choo’s brother back," he said.
Similarly, PKR’s Segambut division chief Derick Teh said people needed to be extra wary when it comes to job scams.
He said there have been way too many cases for people to not have knowledge.
“People should not trust others casually anymore. Be wary and always ask the right questions,” he said.
