Probe into Potential Human Trafficking by Job Scam Syndicates in the Region
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Saktiandi Supaat’s inquiry regarding investigations into potential human trafficking of scam victims baited by syndicates to work in Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated the Police are monitoring these situations and have referred one 2021 report of potential Singaporean victims in Myanmar to counterparts there for assistance. He highlighted Singapore’s involvement in regional platforms, such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, to enhance cooperation on combating trafficking and scams. The Police will continue to work closely with other countries to address the transnational threats posed by these criminal syndicates targeting victims across the region. This ongoing effort includes participation in the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime to strengthen regional responses to trafficking in persons.
Transcript
25 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Singapore Police Force’s Anti-Scam Command Office is looking into the potential human trafficking of scam victims who are baited by scam syndicates to "work" in Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar; and (b) whether Singapore is partnering or is intending to partner with other countries in the region to combat this problem which seems to target victims from across East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Police are monitoring potential human trafficking of scam victims, who are lured by scam syndicates to "work" in other countries. As the Minister for Home Affairs informed Parliament in September 2022, since 2021, there has been one Police report involving potential Singaporean victims.
In this report, the complainant claimed that he had heard from another party, that there were Singaporean victims possibly being kept against their will in Myanmar to work for scam syndicates there. The complainant stated that he had not personally spoken to the said Singaporeans and did not have any other information or details regarding the identity of the Singaporeans. The Police have referred this case to their counterpart in Myanmar for assistance.
Singapore participates in various regional efforts to discuss cooperation on combating transnational crime, including scams and trafficking in persons. This includes the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime and its Working Group on trafficking in persons, as well as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime. We will continue to work closely with other countries to address the threat of scams and trafficking in persons.