43 Malaysians rescued from phone scam syndicate in Peru were young people who arrived 1 week prior

43 Malaysians Rescued from Human Trafficking and Fraud Operation in Peru

In a daring rescue operation, 43 young Malaysians were saved from the clutches of a human trafficking syndicate that was entangled in telecommunication fraud in Peru. This heart-pounding mission took place just a week after their arrival in Lima, as confirmed by Malaysian police on Tuesday.

These unsuspecting Malaysians found themselves ensnared in a deceitful scheme believed to have its roots in crime syndicates from Taiwan and China. The scammers in this operation cunningly posed as banks or government officials, coaxing individuals into divulging their personal banking information or transferring money. A dire situation, it has affected numerous Malaysians who, enticed by job offers in other Southeast Asian countries, were coerced into perpetrating online romance or cryptocurrency frauds.

Malaysian Police Chief Razarudin Husain, addressing the press, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He stated, “This marks the first instance of human trafficking involving Malaysians in Peru. We are dedicated to educating our fellow Malaysians, even on social media, but regrettably, these fraudulent job offers persist.”

These 43 brave souls, comprising 26 women and 17 men, arrived in Peru on September 29. Their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Peruvian police executed a raid on a house in Lima’s La Molina district, securing their release on a fateful Saturday.

Among the rescued Malaysians, the youngest are just 18 years old, while the oldest among them is 36.

Malaysian authorities have confirmed that the 43 rescued individuals are in good health and will be repatriated to Malaysia once the investigation in Lima concludes. As of now, the police are meticulously examining the circumstances surrounding their recruitment and their journey to Peru, a task that remains ongoing.

According to reports in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper, two of the women managed to escape from the house located in an upscale neighborhood. They sought help from a compassionate neighbor, leading to their safe handover to the police. Peruvian sources suggest that The Red Dragon of Taiwan is the syndicate behind this heart-wrenching ordeal. Mobile phones, debit cards, and cash have been confiscated as part of the initial investigation, though Malaysian police have not yet been able to verify these details.