Sibu cops nab suspect in human trafficking job scam probe

SIBU: A 31-year-old local man has been detained to assist in investigations into the case of a victim who says he was cheated and forced to work as a scammer in Cambodia recently.

Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili said the case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007.

“We received a report from the alleged victim and following initial investigations, we arrested the suspect.

“He has been remanded for seven days until Nov 11 to help in the investigation,” he said on Tuesday (Nov 4).

A 36-year-old man from Kanowit lodged a police report recently, claiming to be a victim of a scam syndicate offering jobs abroad.

The victim, identified as “Johnny”, reportedly left for Cambodia on Oct 5 and was forced to work as a scammer in a four-storey building in Phnom Penh for almost a month.

During that period, Johnny claimed, he was beaten, tortured and given electric shocks by syndicate members for failing to follow orders.

He was finally rescued and brought back to Sibu on Monday (Nov 3) with the help of his brother, as well as the Terabai Menua Welfare Association Sibu (TMS).

ACP Zulkipli said police are now tracking down other individuals believed to be involved in the syndicate.