PETALING JAYA: All 158 Malaysians who sought help from the Embassy of Malaysia in Cambodia after falling prey to online job scams have now been rescued.

These 158 victims and 25 others were rescued during a joint operation with the Cambodian government.

Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim confirmed with Sin Chew Daily that the embassy is in the midst of handling the victims’ travel documents so that they can return home as soon as possible.

“The embassy has received a total of 158 reports. With the help of the Cambodian authorities, these people have been rescued.

“Another 25 Malaysians are also rescued during the operation although they did not seek help from the embassy,” he said.

Eldeen Husaini expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian government for launching the operation to save the Malaysian victims.

These Malaysians will return home in batches, said Eldeen Husaini.

“The embassy is still liaising with the special task force set up under the foreign affairs ministry to continue to rescue Malaysians trapped in Cambodia,” he said.

Through a virtual meeting with the police, officials of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, embassy staff in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines, foreign minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah discussed about the solutions for online job scams, said Eldeen Husaini.

The embassy would continue to liaise with the special task force and work with the local authorities to ensure that Malaysians are rescued, he said.