Scam crisis carries diplomatic risks for Asean, Malaysia foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah says
- Syndicates dominated by Chinese gangsters have set up bases across Southeast Asia to run vast online scams targeting vulnerable people across Asia and beyond
- As hundreds of Malaysians seek rescue amid reports of torture and abuse, the country’s foreign minister said the crisis is taking on a diplomatic edge
The massive online fraud crisis roiling Southeast Asia risks damaging relations between nations, Malaysia’s foreign minister has warned, after 21 more Malaysians returned from ordeals in casino compounds housing scam operations in Cambodia and Laos.
Syndicates dominated by Chinese gangsters have set up bases across Southeast Asia to run vast online scams targeting vulnerable people across Asia and beyond with Ponzi schemes, bogus cryptocurrency investments as well as fictitious promises of romance.
The operations are run from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, with significant outposts in the Philippines and Dubai, according to regional security experts.
They are staffed by tens of thousands of young workers from China and Taiwan to Malaysia, India and Thailand, many tricked into travelling to lawless corners of the Mekong, including in Sihanoukville and around the Kings Romans casino in the Laos’ part of the Golden Triangle – as well as the notorious KK Park in a rebel-held segment of Myanmar.
As hundreds of Malaysians seek rescue – and reports mount of torture and abuse in the scam centres – foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the crisis is taking on a diplomatic edge.
“There are 5,000 Malaysians working in Cambodia, either with Malaysian or Cambodian companies who are making a good income and are not involved in any scam,” Saifuddin told reporters late on Thursday.