The trio consisting of two women and a man, aged between 23 and 25, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here at about 1.30pm.
Deputy foreign minister Mohamad Alamin said the three victims were among the 43 Malaysian citizens who were duped into working for the Macau scam syndicate and were rescued by Peruvian police on Oct 7.
“The rest of the victims are still in Peru and placed in a safe location under the supervision of the Peruvian authorities,” he said in a press conference with the three victims at KLIA.
Mohamad said the Malaysian embassy in Lima, Peru, will coordinate the repatriation of 37 more victims, who are scheduled to arrive in Malaysia in batches on Oct 28, 29, 30 and Nov 1.
He added that three more Malaysian citizens are still being held by Peruvian authorities for further investigation under local laws.
According to Mohamad, the syndicate’s modus operandi was to lure victims with lucrative job offers in hospitality, culinary and casinos with air tickets, accommodation and free food through social media platforms.
“Wisma Putra will redouble its efforts (with awareness campaigns) so that jobseekers are more sensitive and alert. Do check thoroughly the authenticity of any job offer received and don’t be easily deceived,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad expressed his appreciation to the Peruvian authorities, the Malaysian embassy in Peru, the Peruvian embassy in Malaysia and the police for their cooperation throughout the process of bringing the victims home.
On Oct 9, a Wisma Putra statement said a total of 43 Malaysian citizens, who were victims of human trafficking by the Macau scam syndicate, had been rescued and would be repatriated to Malaysia soon.
In a separate statement on Oct 10, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain was reported to have said that all the victims, consisting of 26 women and 17 men, would be interviewed as soon as they arrived home to enable investigations to be carried out by the D3 anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling division (Atipsom) of the Bukit Aman criminal investigation department.