A Shocking Turn in the Search for a Missing Teen

In a distressing development, a British teenager, David Balisong, who vanished three months ago in Malaysia, may have fallen victim to a chilling human trafficking scheme linked to online scams. This revelation comes from the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), stirring fears about the dark underbelly of trafficking in the region.

MHO's secretary-general, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, highlighted alarming patterns in David's case that echo the tactics often employed by these criminal networks. An unsettling email sent to David's family just three days after his arrival in Malaysia claimed he was in a 'safe place' and urged them not to look for him, a tactic commonly used to dissuade families from alerting authorities.

A Disappearance Shrouded in Mystery

David was last spotted on June 7 at KL Sentral, just a day after secretly flying in from the UK with nothing but a backpack. His family became anxious after he stopped replying to calls and messages, prompting them to report him missing.

Notably, David's disappearance coincided with a significant police crackdown on scam call centres, including a recent raid that led to 400 arrests. Hishamuddin voiced his concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for Malaysia to combat these nefarious operations head-on.

A Mother’s Heartfelt Plea

Meanwhile, David's mother, Minerva, who has been in Malaysia since July in search of her son, expressed her heartache and confusion over his sudden departure. 'There were no signs at all. He was a model student who always kept us informed about his whereabouts,' she disclosed, desperately calling for her son to reach out.

She fears that her son's passion for cybersecurity might have made him an easy target for exploitation by scammers. Investigations suggest David began withdrawing funds from his bank account months prior to his disappearance and was actively seeking job opportunities in Malaysia through LinkedIn.

Urgent Action Needed as Time Runs Out

With David's travel visa set to expire imminently, Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar warned that if he does not surface soon, he may flee the country unnoticed. 'As of now, we still cannot trace him. He is believed to have entered Malaysia for a holiday,' Shazeli stated, raising alarm over the urgency of the situation.

As the clock ticks, Minerva's emotional appeal echoes: 'David, if you are reading this, please let us know you are safe.' The urgency to find David and unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance intensifies as authorities and his family fight against the growing threat of trafficking networks preying on vulnerable individuals.