ASEANAPOL - ASEAN Chiefs of Police

KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen Malaysians, who were held by a human trafficking syndicate in Cambodia, have been rescued.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the Malaysians, aged 19 to 43, were rescued by the Cambodian National Police with the cooperation of Malaysian Police, Interpol, Aseanapol and the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (April 5).

"They were rescued from Preah Sihanouk province in Cambodia.

"The victims claimed that they were duped by a job offer of working as customer service representatives with lucrative salaries for a Cambodian company.

"They had stumbled upon the job listing on Facebook," he said in a statement on Saturday (April 9).

Once the victims reached Cambodia, Comm Abd Jalil said their personal documents were seized and their movements were restricted.

"They only realised that they were duped once they reached Cambodia.

"We believe they were forced to work as scammers," he said.

The victims are safe and they are now in Phnom Penh, waiting for a flight to Malaysia soon, he added.

"We advise the public to be more careful on any job offer that promises a high pay overseas to avoid being exploited.

"We welcome information n syndicates that duped Malaysias and forced them to conduct illegal activities overseas. Those with information can contact the nearest police station," he said.

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Malaysians human trafficking victims after being rescued in Cambodia. Photo credit PDRM

Malaysians rescued from human trafficking syndicate in Cambodia