According to reports, these individuals, trapped in Cambodia, are forced to engage in fraudulent activities, including posing as law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims back in India
Over 5,000 Indian nationals are being held against their will in Cambodia, where they are being forced into perpetrating online scams targeting their fellow countrymen. This large-scale fraudulent operation, estimated to have amassed proceeds of a staggering Rs 500 crore in the past six months alone, has compelled both India and Cambodia to team up and act accordingly in dismantling this criminal network.
According to reports, these individuals, trapped in Cambodia, are forced to engage in fraudulent activities, including posing as law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims back in India. The plight of these victims caught the attention of authorities when a senior government employee reported being defrauded of over Rs 67 lakh late last year, prompting action from law enforcement agencies.
“We have seen the media reports on Indian nationals stuck in Cambodia. Our Embassy in Cambodia has been promptly responding to complaints from Indian nationals who were lured with employment opportunities to that country but were forced to undertake illegal cyber work,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that around 250 Indians have been “rescued and repatriated” so far.
The Rourkela Police in Odisha took significant strides in cracking down on this cyber-crime syndicate, arresting eight individuals allegedly involved in fabricating the trafficking of people to Cambodia. Investigations revealed a distressing modus operandi where victims were promised legitimate job opportunities but were instead coerced into participating in illegal activities upon arrival in Cambodia.
“We arrested eight persons from different parts of the country and have prima facie evidence against multiple people involved in the scam. We issued Look Out Circulars against 16, following which the Bureau of Immigration detained two men – Harish Kurapati and Naga Venkata Sowjanya Kurapati – at the Hyderabad airport after they landed from Cambodia,” an officer said
Stephen, one of the rescued victims, recounted his harrowing experience, stating that he and others were duped into traveling to Cambodia under false pretenses. Upon arrival, they were subjected to grueling work conditions, including posing as women on social media platforms to lure potential victims. Failure to meet daily quotas resulted in severe punishment, including deprivation of food and rest.
The victims were exploited by criminal enterprises, which confiscated their passports and subjected them to physical and psychological abuse to ensure compliance. Scammers, posing as women on dating apps, would entice targets into fraudulent cryptocurrency trading schemes, resulting in significant financial losses for unsuspecting victims.
“If anyone refused to do what was asked of him, he would be tortured by way of physical assaults, electric shocks, solitary confinement, etc. Many Indians not willing to engage in such scams are trapped there. We are trying to identify, contact, and bring them back through proper channels,” MS Padhi, Principal Secretary, govt. of Odisha said
The scammers would pose as women on dating apps and chat with the potential targets. “After some time, they would convince the target to invest in cryptocurrency trading. Many were duped in India this way,” he said.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Rourkela Police, have made strides in gathering crucial intelligence, identifying key operatives, and unraveling the intricate web of this criminal syndicate. Efforts are underway to bring perpetrators to justice, with plans to collaborate with international agencies such as Interpol to apprehend high-level operatives involved in this nefarious enterprise.
The Ministry of External Affairs has been actively engaged in repatriating rescued victims, with approximately 250 individuals already rescued and repatriated. The government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens and remains vigilant in combating transnational crimes of this nature.
