M'sian man, 25, allegedly trapped & abused in Myanmar scam centre for 6 months after accepting overseas job offer

A 25-year-old Malaysian man is believed to have been trapped in a scam centre in Myanmar for six months after accepting a "well-paying" job offer overseas.

The man, known only as Cheng, was allegedly forced to work long hours and subjected to physical abuse.

His family was also allegedly asked to pay US$40,000 (S$52,000) to secure his release, according to The Star.

Offered "well-paying" customer service job

Cheng, who previously worked in Singapore, met a man while attending a car show in Penang, Malaysia.

The pair bonded over their shared interest in cars, according to Oriental Daily.

The man subsequently offered Cheng a desk-bound customer service job overseas, promising him a good salary.

Having experience working in the service sector in Singapore and hoping to find a stable job, Cheng accepted the offer.

Allegedly forced to pay S$52,000 to leave job

However, Cheng realised the offer was far from the truth when he arrived in Myanmar to sign the employment contract.

According to Daniel Khoo, chairman of the Malaysian Community Crime Care Centre's Pahang branch, one of the terms in the contract was to pay US$40,000 (S$52,000) if Cheng wanted to quit the job early.

Unable to afford the penalty, Cheng was allegedly forced to remain at the centre, where he was subjected to long working hours and physical abuse, The Star reported.

He is believed to be confined at a scam centre located in a jungle area near the Thai-Myanmar border since April this year.

His personal phone was also allegedly confiscated, preventing him from contacting his family.

Managed to contact family in July

According to Oriental Daily, Cheng used a phone at his workplace in July to contact a friend for help.

He subsequently reached his family through Instagram.

His family reportedly received a video which shows people using multiple mobile phones and men being beaten.

Khoo described the footage as "graphic".

Family lodged police report

Cheng's older brother lodged a police report in Johor Bahru on Jul. 31 after the family received messages about Cheng.

According to Oriental Daily, the family last contacted Cheng through WeChat on Jul. 18.

They also learnt that he had left Malaysia on Apr. 17.

A Malaysian police official confirmed with The Star that a report had been lodged and investigations were ongoing.

A female relative said the family had reached out to the Malaysian embassy for assistance but remained uncertain about Cheng's whereabouts and condition.