Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said strict measures would be taken in accordance with existing laws, such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, if there was evidence indicating that those rescued were the masterminds behind the recruitment of victims.

“If found guilty, they can be fined or sentenced to imprisonment for a maximum of 20 years. As of today, four Malaysian citizens have been charged on suspicion of being the masterminds of a scam syndicate in Peru in 2023,” he said during question time in the Dewan Negara.

He was responding to Senator Roderick Wong’s question about the government’s measures to curb job offer scams from countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Mohamad, who is better known as Tok Mat, said Malaysian citizens were lured overseas by lucrative salary packages of up to US$2,000 (RM9,342) as well as free travel and accommodation, along with the opportunity to borrow money for gambling.

“Generally, the victims are those with lower education, financial difficulties or past criminal records.

“Once they start working, they must meet their employer’s targets. Failing to do so can lead to penalties like salary cuts, no meals and forced overtime,” he said.