Over 5,000 Indians are subjected to cyber slavery in Cambodia as they are allegedly held against their will and coerced into carrying out cyber fraud schemes targeting people back in Bharat. The organised racket has reportedly led to losses of at least Rs 500 crore in the past six months, stated government calculations.
Concerned authorities, including the Home Affairs Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) Ministry, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), convened to strategise on rescuing those trapped in Cambodia. Probe reveals that individuals, primarily from Southern Bharat, are lured under the guise of data entry jobs before being compelled into cyber fraud activities.
Victims in Cambodia are allegedly coerced into scamming individuals in Bharat, often resorting to impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Recent efforts resulted in the repatriation of three individuals from Bengaluru who were ensnared in the fraudulent operations.
The revelation came to light following the dismantling of a cyber-crime syndicate by Rourkela Police in Odisha, which led to the arrest of eight individuals involved in trafficking people to Cambodia. A senior Central Government officer, defrauded of approximately Rs 70 lakh, initiated the probe.
Dr Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairman of the Non-Resident Indian Forum of the Government of Karnataka (NRIFK), disclosed the successful rescue of three individuals from Karnataka with External Affairs Ministry’s assistance. However, concerns persist as approximately 200 more individuals from the region remain trapped in Cambodia.
Testimonies from rescued individuals shed light on the exploitation they faced, with promises of legitimate employment turning into coerced participation in fraudulent activities. Daily routines involved creating fake social media profiles and engaging in scams under duress, with severe consequences for failure to meet targets.
Rourkela Police revealed the modus operandi of the scam, detailing how victims were coerced into posing as women on dating apps and later persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency trading and fake stocks. Efforts are underway to identify and repatriate more victims through proper channels.
Authorities have gathered critical information on the fraudulent companies operating in Cambodia and identified key operatives, both Indians and Nepalese. Plans to collaborate with Interpol to apprehend high-level players in the scam are underway, indicating a concerted effort to dismantle the criminal network and ensure justice for the victims.
