New Delhi | January 13, 2026: The rescue of hundreds of Indians from cybercrime compounds operating across South and South-East Asia has exposed a disturbing network of human trafficking, forced labour and organised cyber fraud. Victims who have returned to India say they were held captive for months, subjected to physical and mental torture, and coerced into committing online financial crimes after being lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs.
MEA Brings Back 1,586 Indians in Three Phases
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a total of 1,586 Indian nationals have been brought back to the country in three phases since November 2025. The rescues were carried out from illegal cybercrime facilities operating in Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Officials said these compounds were run by international cybercrime syndicates, with several cases pointing to the involvement of Chinese nationals.
Latest Rescue Includes Andhra Pradesh Youths
The most recent rescue operation included 22 youths from Andhra Pradesh. The survivors narrated their ordeal to the media at the CID headquarters in Mangalagiri, in the presence of senior officers from the state’s cybercrime wing. They said they were recruited through attractive job offers circulated on social media and later stripped of their freedom upon reaching foreign soil.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Social Media Job Ads Used as Lures
Victims said they were targeted through advertisements on platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps. The ads promised data entry or call centre jobs abroad with monthly salaries running into lakhs of rupees. While some travelled through local agents, others directly responded to online offers without verifying their authenticity.
Tourist Visas, Confiscated Passports, Forced Border Crossings
One survivor said, “We were sent tourist visas and flight tickets and first taken to Thailand. As soon as we landed at the airport, our passports and mobile phones were confiscated. From there, we were made to travel for nearly 12 to 13 hours through forest routes before being taken into Myanmar.” Victims said the border crossings were done covertly, leaving them with no opportunity to seek help.
Compounds Described as High-Security Prisons
The cybercrime compounds, according to survivors, resembled high-security prisons. They were surrounded by tall walls and guarded by armed private security personnel. “If we refused to work, we were locked in dark rooms, tortured with electric shocks and starved for days,” another victim said.
Forced Into Online Fraud Targeting NRIs
Inside the compounds, the victims were trained to carry out various forms of cyber fraud. They were instructed to create fake social media and dating profiles, often using stolen photographs, and were directed to target Non-Resident Indians, particularly those living in the United States. Survivors said their initial role was limited to sending scripted messages, while senior operators handled the actual extortion and financial manipulation.
Million-Dollar Targets and Multiple Compounds
“They set targets ranging from $500 to as much as $1 million per victim,” one survivor claimed. According to the victims, there are at least seven to eight large cybercrime compounds operating in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region alone. Similar facilities are said to exist in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, where thousands of Indians are still believed to be trapped.
Punishment for Resistance and Controlled Contact With Families
Those who refused to participate in cybercrime or attempted to resist were allegedly subjected to severe punishment. Survivors said they were threatened at gunpoint, and attempts to escape were met with violent reprisals. Many were not paid any salary for months under the pretext of “training”, and later payments were stopped entirely, citing poor performance.
Communication with families was tightly controlled. Victims said they were allowed to speak to relatives only once a week, under supervision, and were instructed on what they could say during the calls.
Agents Arrested, Lookout Circulars Issued
Officials said the rescue operations were carried out in coordination with Indian missions abroad and local authorities in the respective countries. Of those rescued so far, around 120 are from Andhra Pradesh. Action has also been initiated against agents involved in recruiting and trafficking victims from India. According to officials, 30 such agents have been arrested so far, and lookout circulars have been issued against suspects operating from abroad.
Government Issues Warning to Job Seekers
The government has urged young job seekers to remain cautious about overseas employment offers circulated on social media. Citizens have been advised to verify recruitment agencies and report suspicious cases to the national cybercrime helpline number 1930. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to dismantle the syndicates completely and secure the release of Indians who are still believed to be held captive overseas.
