From Malaysia to Thailand to Myanmar.
Suspected to be detained by illegal syndicates
Penang Front Party's president Patrick Ooi Khar Giap told Nanyang Siang Pau that he has since received information from a source in Myanmar that confirmed Chia was detained there.Ooi added that illegal syndicates have temporarily confined her instead of making her work, as they believe she is a cash cow that can be exchanged for money since people are offering rewards for her return to Malaysia.
In a video published on Apr. 25, Ooi claimed the woman was brought from Thailand to Myanmar and implied that she might have fallen victim to a job scam that promised a cushy job in Myanmar with a salary of RMB10,000 to RMB20,000 (S$2,083.35 to S$4,166.70).
Ooi said Chia has been quoted a price for her release and that other gang syndicates might even buy out this gang that is currently holding her to demand a higher ransom from the family.
High cash reward complicating matters
However, without explicitly referring to Wang, Ooi said the high cash reward that is on offer has further complicated the situation.
He explained that while rescuing people from such situations requires money, it usually does not require such a large amount.
On Apr. 27, Ooi also welcomed those whose friends or relatives have found themselves in similar job scam situations to reach out to him with their information and photographs in order to ascertain if they are also detained in the same area as Chia.
According to the Facebook post, hundreds of people are located within the Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
The first batch of more than 10 people have returned to Malaysia and more arrangements to repatriate others will be made in early May.
Ooi shared that the price to release a person ranged from RM7,000 (S$2,221.19) to RM8,000 (S$2,538.50) previously, but it has been raised to RM15,000 (S$4,759.69) per person now. Because Wang Lei spoilt the market for missing persons.
https://mothership.sg/2022/04/wang-lei-missing-malaysian-woman-in-myanmar/
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