Thousands of Indians trapped in Southeast Asia cyber scams

Tens of thousands of Indian nationals are reportedly ensnared in Southeast Asia, coerced into participating in cyber scams, including cryptocurrency fraud and phishing schemes. These individuals are often lured by enticing job offers for IT and data entry positions, only to find their passports confiscated upon arrival in countries like Cambodia and Laos, leaving them trapped in guarded compounds under inhumane conditions.

The Indian government has taken action, launching rescue efforts and collaborating with international organisations and local authorities to repatriate citizens caught in these cyber slavery networks. Recent reports indicate that Indian nationals have lost approximately 500 crores (about $60 million) to these operations between October 2023 and March 2024. Alarmingly, nearly 30,000 Indians who travelled to Southeast Asia from January 2022 to May 2024 have not returned home.

Investigations suggest that these cyber scams may be part of a more extensive human trafficking operation, linking financial fraud to severe exploitation. This alarming connection has drawn the attention of international authorities, including the US Department of the Treasury, which recently imposed sanctions on a Cambodian senator involved in these illicit activities.

As the situation unfolds, the Indian government is intensifying its efforts to crack down on these networks, including blocking international spoofed calls and monitoring suspicious activity in Southeast Asia to protect its citizens.