Three Scam Victims in Taiwan Need RM80,000 Each for Legal Fees

KUALA LUMPUR: The families of three individuals detained by authorities in Taiwan, after being believed to have fallen victim to fraudulent activities, each require approximately RM80,000 for private legal representation in the country.

The victim’s sister, Nor Yuyue Daud, 40, said the cost of opening a case with a private lawyer in Taiwan is estimated at RM20,000, while the overall legal cost reaches approximately RM80,000.

“Just to open a case with a private lawyer requires around RM20,000. Overall, we need approximately RM80,000 to obtain legal representation in Taiwan,” she said at a press conference by the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) here yesterday.

The three Malaysians involved are Muhammad Shah Iskandar Daud, 20, as well as the married couple Ahmad Iffat Ahmad Fuad, 32, and Nor Adila Adnan, 22.

All three are currently detained in separate detention centres in Taiwan after being charged with offences related to fraudulent activities.

MHO Secretary-General, Hishamuddin Hashim, said the organisation believes the three victims were deceived through a new modus operandi using seemingly legitimate job offers as bodyguards to recruit Malaysians.

He said although MHO respects the legal process and sovereignty of Taiwan, humanitarian considerations should be given as they are believed to be victims of fraud, including the married couple who are now separated from their young children.

He urged the Malaysian authorities to investigate the individuals or parties responsible for recruiting and sending victims abroad.

“We cannot allow Malaysians to be recruited, sent overseas and eventually charged, while the masterminds who arranged or benefited from this syndicate remain free,” he said after submitting a memorandum to representatives of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO).

Meanwhile, Muhammad Shah Iskandar’s brother, who only wants to be known as Edy, 42, claimed his brother did not know that the tasks given by his employer in Taiwan were linked to criminal activities.

“My brother only went out to work once, but his bank card was taken by the police and used to withdraw money six times.

“We are seeking justice and hope the Taiwanese authorities can cooperate,” he said.

In a related development, Ahmad Iffat’s mother, Normala Ahmad, 54, said she had to borrow money to enable her to go to Taiwan to bring back her two grandchildren, aged one and four years old, after both their parents were detained.

“The cost of childcare there is RM3,500 per month. We paid RM6,000 because they have been there for more than a month,” she said.

Normala said her son went to Taiwan in early June to work temporarily while waiting for a job offer as a bus driver in Singapore.

Berita Harian