30,000 Indians Still Missing in Southeast Asia After Falling for Fake Job Offers, Trapped in Cyber Slavery

Thousands of Indians Trapped in Cyber Slavery in Southeast Asia

Tens of thousands of Indian nationals are falling prey to fake job offers promising high salaries, only to end up trapped in cyber slavery across Southeast Asia.

These individuals, lured by attractive IT and data entry positions, are forced into participating in cyber scams after their arrival in countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Upon arrival, their passports are confiscated, and they are held in guarded compounds where they endure severe working conditions.

These cyber scams, which include cryptocurrency fraud and phishing, primarily target individuals back in India, leading to substantial financial losses.

Between October 2023 and March 2024, Indian citizens lost INR 500 crore ($60 million) to these operations, a stark indicator of the scale of this issue.

How Are Indians Being Lured Into Cyber Slavery?

Many victims, primarily young adults in their 20s and 30s, are recruited through false online job offers that appear legitimate.

Once they arrive in Southeast Asia, their passports are seized, and they are coerced into working long hours, often up to 16 hours a day, for online scam operations.

The cyber criminals behind these operations force them to engage in phishing scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and even impersonate law enforcement officers to extort money from unsuspecting victims in India.

These scams often involve complex tactics, including "pig butchering" schemes, which lure victims into fraudulent investments or fake romantic relationships.

Victims are left with significant financial losses once they are ghosted by the scammers, who block all communication after the money is transferred.

Government Action and the Fight Against Cyber Slavery

The alarming rise in cyber slavery has prompted the Indian government to intervene and rescue trapped citizens.

Cambodia, one of the key hubs for cyber slavery in the region, has seen many Indian nationals trapped in fraudulent job offers and forced into cybercrime.

Since January 2022, the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh has aided over 1,000 Indian citizens in their return, with nearly 770 repatriated in the first nine months of 2024, thanks to the cooperation of Cambodian authorities.

On 14 August 2024, a group of Indian youths was rescued from scam centres in Laos' Bokeo province.

Following the rescue, the Indian Embassy in Laos warned that jobs offered on a "Visa on Arrival" basis are illegal and advised caution when accepting job offers abroad.

Recently, the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh has successfully rescued 67 Indian nationals trapped in fraudulent job schemes in Cambodia.

On September 22, following specific intelligence, the Cambodian police carried out the rescue operation in Poipet.

The Embassy is now facilitating the repatriation of these individuals, with 15 returning to India on 30 September and 24 on 1 October 2024.

The remaining 28 are expected to arrive in the coming days.

#Press Release@indembcam, in collaboration with @MOICambodia, has successfully rescued and repatriated Indian nationals trapped in fraudulent job scams!

🔍Caution: Job seekers, beware of fake agents!

Need help? 📞 +85592881676 or [email protected]@JaideepMazumder pic.twitter.com/Mt5gsYU2rHr/>— India in Cambodia (@indembcam) October 2, 2024r/> a

Despite these efforts, nearly 30,000 Indians who travelled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam between January 2022 and May 2024 have yet to return.

Many of these individuals are feared to be still trapped in cyber slavery networks.

As part of its efforts, the Indian government is working with international organisations and local authorities in Southeast Asia to dismantle these criminal operations.

Telecom Operators’ Role in Combating the Problem

Telecom operators in India have also been drawn into the fight against cyber slavery.

To curtail these operations, the government has ordered telecom companies to block international spoofed calls, which often display Indian numbers but originate from outside the country.

These fake calls account for 35% of international calls targeting Indians.

Additionally, telecom firms are monitoring suspicious roaming activity from Indian mobile numbers in Southeast Asia.

In April to June 2024, telecom data revealed that 600,000 Indian phones were active in the region, raising concerns that many were being used in cyber scams.

The government has already disconnected over 21.7 million mobile connections and blocked 226,000 handsets suspected of being linked to these operations.

Beyond Cryptocurrency Scams: A Broader Human Trafficking Crisis

Investigations into the cyber slavery networks have revealed ties to larger global human trafficking operations.

In 2023, Bloomberg journalist Zeke Faux uncovered a scam in Cambodia that led to the discovery of massive human trafficking rings.

These criminal networks, often controlled by Chinese organisations, exploit workers held in compounds under brutal conditions.

Victims are subjected to physical abuse, forced drug use, and long hours, leaving them unable to escape.

"Chinatown" in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, is a vast compound resembling a city centre, housing victims of human trafficking. Surrounded by high gates and armed guards, it features various shops with Chinese signage, while reports indicate numerous suspicious deaths and frequent ambulance visits due to the dire conditions within. (Source: Bloomberg)

In response, international authorities, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, have imposed sanctions on individuals and entities linked to these trafficking operations.

A Cambodian senator and his business conglomerate were recently sanctioned for their involvement in cyber slavery and human trafficking, drawing global attention to the severity of the crisis.

Could Tens of Thousands of Indians Be Working for Cyber Fraud Rings?

While the government works to locate and rescue Indians trapped in Southeast Asia, telecom data shows troubling evidence.

Many of the Indians who travelled to the region on visitor visas may be working involuntarily in cyber scam operations.

This has been a particular concern in Thailand, where 70% of those who have not returned were last seen.

Cambodia has become a significant centre for cyber slavery, with an estimated 5,000 Indians trapped there alone.

They are forced to participate in sophisticated cyber scams, targeting fellow Indians and extorting millions of rupees through these fraudulent activities.

Is Cyber Slavery the Modern Face of Human Trafficking?

Cyber slavery is defined by the CyberPeace Foundation as "a modern form of slavery that begins with online deception and evolves into physical human trafficking."

This crime extends far beyond online fraud, entrapping victims in a cycle of abuse and exploitation.

Victims are not only coerced into cybercrime but also face forced labour and human trafficking.

The scale of the issue continues to grow, with thousands of Indians still missing, likely trapped in these networks.

While the Indian government and international agencies ramp up rescue operations, dismantling these networks and bringing the perpetrators to justice remains a complex and ongoing challenge.

Coinlive’s Perspective on the Rising Threat of Cyber Slavery

The alarming trend of cyber slavery is not limited to Indian nationals; it represents a growing global crisis.

Coinlive acknowledges the urgent need for collective awareness and action against fraudulent job schemes that prey on vulnerable individuals.

As this issue continues to escalate, it's crucial for job seekers to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before accepting overseas positions.

Potential victims should remain vigilant against too-good-to-be-true job offers, verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies, and be aware of the dangers associated with international travel for employment.

Stay Safe: How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Slavery Traps

The persistent issue of cyber slavery calls for a unified global effort to combat these crimes and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation in an increasingly digital job market.

Here are essential tips to help protect yourself:

• Research Thoroughly: Always verify the company and job offer through trusted sources before applying or making any commitments.

• Beware of Red Flags: Be cautious of job offers that require upfront fees or promise unusually high salaries with little experience.

• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Do not share sensitive personal information until you can confirm the legitimacy of the employer.

• Consult Trusted Networks: Seek advice from friends, family, or professionals in your field before making decisions related to overseas employment.

• Report Suspicious Offers: If you encounter questionable job advertisements or recruitment agencies, report them to local authorities to help protect others from falling victim.

By staying informed and cautious, individuals can better navigate the complexities of job hunting in today’s global landscape, protecting themselves from the perils of cyber slavery and human trafficking.