KUCHING (Nov 4): Greater public awareness about online job scams is urgently needed so youths can be educated about the risks of job offers that sound too good to be true, said Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
He said a coordinated and proactive front was needed.
"I also urge the Ministry of Human Resources and Ministry of Education to strengthen public awareness and digital literacy programmes, especially for school leavers, job seekers, and parents.
"Many victims are not greedy -- they are simply hopeful for a better future. It is our duty to protect their hopes and ensure they are not exploited," he said in a statement yesterday.
Yap also urged government authorities to protect people before they become victims, not after they have been scammed.
He said the growing number of Sarawak youths falling victim to deceptive job and study offers was "concerning", such as the recent case exposed by the National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) where a Kuching youth was deceived by a supposed work-and-study offer, which turned into coercion, intimidation and extortion.
"This is not just a scam, but human trafficking in disguise. Our young people are being treated as commodities by syndicates that exploit their hopes for a better future. Most of these crimes now originate online, where syndicates use social media, fake recruitment websites, and messaging apps to lure unsuspecting victims.
"Online platforms have become the new hunting grounds for syndicates who prey on vulnerable youth. Therefore, it is critical for government authorities to act early at the point of digital recruitment," he said.
He also said that government authorities must stop being reactive, and instead be more proactive when tackling such cases.
"Too often, enforcement only happens after victims are trapped or money has been lost. Prevention must come first, through digital monitoring, public education, and early intervention.
"By the time a report is made, or a case is highlighted by the media, the damage is already done," he said.
He called for stronger coordination among the police, Immigration Department, Labour Department and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling digital networks that enable human trafficking and labour exploitation.
He said MCMC in particular must intensify monitoring of online scam advertisements and block fake recruitment sites immediately, while enforcement agencies must treat deceptive job recruitment as a form of human trafficking and not just ordinary fraud.