In a statement, Ismail said Putrajaya would ensure that the Malaysians held by syndicates in neighbouring countries were brought home safely.

He said special functions minister Abd Latiff Ahmad had met with the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), Malaysian Community Crime Care Association and family members of victims over the matter, and would brief the Cabinet tomorrow.

With Malaysians being held by syndicates in Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia, he said the government was taking a serious view of the issue.

“At the same time, I advise Malaysians to always be careful and wary about offers to work overseas. They need to confirm the authenticity of these job offers through Wisma Putra to avoid becoming victims of job scam syndicates.”

This morning, Bernama reported that five more Malaysian victims of job scam syndicates in Cambodia returned home yesterday.

The foreign ministry said a total of 148 victims of job scams in Cambodia have been rescued out of the 158 cases reported.

So far, 16 Malaysians have been rescued in Thailand, 27 in Laos and five in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, authorities are tracking down 12 more victims in Thailand, 28 in Laos and 54 in Myanmar.