Bernama reported him as saying that on March 13, police also arrested a 25-year-old man in Johor Bahru, believed to be his fellow mastermind, as well as a 19-year-old boy for allegedly acting as the syndicate’s agent.

He said police seized three mobile phones of various brands, believed to have been used by syndicate members, during the operation.

“This syndicate enticed individuals with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand, offering salaries ranging from RM8,000 to RM15,000.

“However, upon the victims’ arrival in Thailand, they were clandestinely transported to a remote location in Myanmar, where they were coerced into recruiting others to open mule accounts in Thailand,” he said.

Kumar said the victims’ movements were closely monitored and controlled by the syndicate members.

On March 11, a batch of 25 Malaysians were rescued from job scam syndicates in Myanmar and repatriated via Mae Sot, Tak Province, in northern Thailand. A month earlier, 15 Malaysians were rescued and repatriated.

Kumar said the case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom) for human trafficking and Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 for membership in an unlawful society.

He said four investigation papers had been opened and submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.