Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Jojie Samuel said 30 Malaysians had sought the help of the embassy in Bangkok and the consulate-general’s office in Songkhla.
He said the victims, who faced immigration offences, including overstaying and illegal entry, were currently detained in Mae Sot, a Thai city located near the border with Myanmar.
He said another five Malaysians had returned to Malaysia as they possessed valid travel documents.
“We expect many more (victims of job scams). We do not have the numbers unless someone goes there and checks,” he said at a press conference in Bangkok.
Samuel said the first such case handled by the embassy involved a 20-year-old Malaysian from Selangor, who was lured to work in Thailand and promised a monthly salary of between US$5,000 and US$8,000.
However, he said the victim was later taken to Myawaddy in Myanmar and forced to work for a syndicate.
“The victim was sent home in December last year,” he said.
Samuel said most of the victims were attracted to job advertisements on social media.
“Malaysian Chinese who can speak a few languages are the main targets (of these syndicates),” he said.
He added that the victims, mostly Mandarin speakers, were placed in a tightly guarded complex and forced to call prospective scam targets around the world.
“The victims were given tasks as scammers to charm the targets, who are Chinese nationals overseas,” he said.
“We were told that victims who achieved their target would be rewarded while those who failed would be punished, including being beaten up,” he said.
Samuel added that most victims or their family members had sought the help of the embassy through WhatsApp calls and messages.
He said embassy officials would travel to Mae Sot to check the victims’ identities and status before assisting them.
Samuel said it was a challenge for the authorities to rescue victims as they were well guarded by armed groups.
Meanwhile, Mae Sot police officer Ekaphon Jindatchak said victims freed by the syndicate in Myawaddy would cross into Thailand to seek help.
“The local (Thai) police would arrest them for illegal entry and other immigration offences. They would be detained for further investigations,” he said, adding that the authorities would then contact the relevant embassies.