The Government of India has confirmed that more than 6,700 Indian nationals trapped in cybercrime compounds across Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have been rescued so far. Many of these individuals were lured abroad with fraudulent job offers and forced into online scam operations.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the data in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, emphasising that the exploitation of Indian citizens in Southeast Asian scam hubs remains a matter of serious concern.
Fake Job Offers Used to Traffic Indians Into Cybercrime
The MEA said criminal networks have been using social media ads and fake recruitment agencies to entice jobseekers with promises of high-paying roles in Southeast Asia. Victims who reached these countries were allegedly held captive, threatened, and coerced into operating online investment scams, crypto frauds, romance scams, and phishing rackets.
Singh noted that many victims had travelled using unauthorised agents or illegal channels, making it harder for authorities to track or trace them. The minister added that while thousands have been rescued, more Indians may still be trapped in such compounds.
Safety of Indians Abroad ‘Top Priority’, Says MEA
The government stated that protecting Indian nationals abroad remains a top diplomatic priority. Indian embassies in Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Yangon are working closely with:
- Local police
- Immigration authorities
- Labour departments
- Border enforcement agencies
to identify trapped individuals, coordinate rescue operations, and facilitate their repatriation.
Singh said the issue has been raised at the highest political levels with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, urging them to crack down on these scam centres.
Data: Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar Rescues
In Parliament, the MEA shared an updated breakdown of rescues:
Country | Indians Rescued |
|---|---|
Cambodia | 2,265 |
Laos (Lao PDR) | 2,290 |
Myanmar | 2,165 |
Total | 6,720 |
Officials said these rescues were made possible through sustained diplomatic pressure and field-level coordination with local enforcement agencies.
Over 16,000 Complaints Received From Indians Abroad
Responding to another query, the minister said that between January 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025, the government received:
- 11,195 complaints via the Madad grievance portal
- 4,932 complaints via CPGRAMS
bringing the total to 16,127 complaints from Indians abroad. These include issues related to fraud, labour exploitation, missing persons, and passport disputes.
Singh said Indian missions are instructed to prioritise all such complaints and coordinate urgently with local authorities for resolution.
Growing Global Cybercrime Hubs Target Indian Jobseekers
Officials warn that cybercrime centres in Southeast Asia have expanded significantly since 2021, targeting vulnerable jobseekers from South Asia through deceptive online advertisements. Many end up trafficked into heavily guarded compounds where they are forced to commit cyber fraud under threat of violence.
The Indian government continues to issue public advisories urging jobseekers to verify overseas offers and avoid unauthorised recruiters.
