A 25-year-old Malaysian man has allegedly been held against his will at a scam centre in Myanmar for six months after accepting what he believed was a well-paying overseas job opportunity.
The man, identified only as Cheng, was reportedly subjected to long working hours and physical abuse after arriving in Myanmar. His family has also allegedly been asked to pay US$40,000 (approximately S$52,000) to secure his release, according to reports by The Star.
His family has since sought help from the authorities and the Malaysian embassy, but his whereabouts and current condition remain uncertain.
Man Accepted Overseas Job After Meeting Acquaintance At Car Show
Cheng, who had previously worked in Singapore, reportedly met a man at a car show in Penang, Malaysia. The two became acquainted through their shared interest in cars, Oriental Daily reported.
The acquaintance subsequently offered Cheng a customer service position overseas, describing it as a desk-based job with an attractive salary.
Having previous experience in the service industry in Singapore, Cheng reportedly believed the opportunity could provide him with more stable employment. He eventually agreed to take up the offer.
However, the situation allegedly took a disturbing turn after he arrived in Myanmar to sign his employment contract.
According to Daniel Khoo, chairman of the Malaysian Community Crime Care Centre’s Pahang branch, the contract reportedly included a clause requiring Cheng to pay US$40,000 if he wanted to leave the job before the agreed period.
Allegedly Forced To Stay At Scam Centre Near Thai-Myanmar Border
Unable to afford the hefty early termination penalty, Cheng was allegedly left with little choice but to remain at the facility.
He is believed to have been confined at a scam centre in a jungle area near the Thai-Myanmar border since April 2026.
During his time there, he was allegedly made to work long hours and subjected to physical abuse. His personal mobile phone was also reportedly confiscated, leaving him unable to contact his family freely.
The case highlights the risks associated with overseas employment offers that promise attractive salaries but provide little verifiable information about the employer, working c