Indian Authorities Rescue 60 Victims of Cyber Fraud Trafficked to Cambodia

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd May. Indian authorities have successfully rescued 60 Indian nationals who were fraudulently taken to Cambodia and coerced into cyber fraud activities by trafficking networks. The Indian Embassy has confirmed ongoing coordination with Cambodian authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the rescued individuals.

This intervention follows a distressing situation where approximately 150 Indians staged protests in Cambodia, demanding the return of their passports from their handlers to facilitate their journey back home. Among those stranded, 150 individuals from Visakhapatnam and neighboring regions have been trapped in Cambodia for over a year, compelled to engage in cyber crimes and Ponzi schemes.

Reports indicate that these victims were initially enticed with promises of employment opportunities, such as data entry positions in Singapore. However, upon arrival in Cambodia, they were coerced by Chinese handlers into committing cyber scams.

Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner, Ravi Shankar Ayyanar, revealed alarming details about the dire conditions faced by Indians in Cambodia. He stated that approximately 5,000 Indians are currently trapped in exploitative circumstances, enduring starvation and harsh treatment if they fail to meet their handlers’ expectations.

Ayyanar highlighted the modus operandi of human trafficking networks, explaining how unsuspecting individuals are recruited by unregistered agents in India before being transported to Cambodia via Bangkok or Singapore. Upon arrival, Cambodian agents take control, subjecting victims to exploitation under the supervision of Chinese handlers.

The victims undergo rigorous training in various cyber fraud techniques, including FedEx courier scams, fake stock market investments, cryptocurrency frauds, and honey traps. Recent arrests in Visakhapatnam, including individuals like Chukka Rajesh, S Kondala Rao, and M Jnaneshwar Rao, on charges of human trafficking, underscore the severity of the situation.

The financial impact of these online frauds is significant, with victims collectively losing hundreds of crores of rupees. Visakhapatnam, known as a cyber fraud hotspot, has reported losses amounting to around 120 crore rupees over the past 12-18 months.

The rescue of the 60 individuals marks a crucial step in addressing the plight of Indian nationals ensnared in cyber fraud trafficking networks, emphasizing the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.