In a chilling exposé of human trafficking masked as job opportunities, over 100 Indian youths, including more than 10 from Gujarat’s Vadodara district, remain stranded in Myanmar after being coerced into cybercrime operations. Lured by fake data-entry job promises via shady agents, these young men from areas like Savli and Desar talukas now face hellish conditions in Myanmar’s Maya Wadi region, hiding in an NGO safe house for nearly 20 days with no money or support. Viral videos and audio messages from victims like Kunjan Shah from Sandhasal village have ignited panic among families and prompted political appeals to top Indian leaders.
The Deceptive Lure and Brutal Reality
Agents preyed on jobless youths with offers of high-paying roles abroad, routing them through Thailand before smuggling them across borders into Myanmar’s scam hubs like KK Park and Myawaddy. Upon arrival, dreams shattered into nightmares: 14-18 hour shifts running online frauds under armed threats, physical torture, and confinement for resistors. Kunjan Shah’s trembling voice in a viral clip reveals the horror: “We escaped illegal work but now have no phone balance or help,” echoing ordeals where escapees face starvation and isolation.
This isn’t isolated—Gujarat police have repeatedly busted linked networks. Ahmedabad Crime Branch cracked a “cyber slavery” racket tied to Chinese syndicates, arresting mastermind Nilesh Purohit (“The Ghost”) who trafficked 500+ victims across India to Myanmar. Surat Police nabbed three for similar trafficking, while CBI arrested agents luring youths to scam compounds. Patterns show routes via Pakistan, China, and jungles, with victims signing coercive contracts facing ₹3.5 lakh penalties.
Families’ Anguish and Political Push
Back home, despair grips Gujarat villages. Kunjan’s parents, Jayeshbhai and Hansabhen, sobbed to media: “We just want our son and others home safely—no money needed.” On December 26, Savli MLA Ketan Inamdar urged PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar for intervention, highlighting 100+ Indians trapped, including 10 from Vadodara.
Myanmar cleared their immigration, but victims claim no Indian aid yet, amid broader rescues like IAF flights repatriating 270 Indians from scam hubs in November.
Broader Cyber Slavery Crisis
Myanmar’s scam empires, often ex-casinos run by Chinese gangs, trap over 100,000 globally per UN estimates, targeting Indians via fake jobs in frauds like digital arrests and investment scams. Gujarat alone saw multiple busts: Rajkot escapees exposed forest training camps; Mira Bhayandar rescued seven. Despite crackdowns, agents persist, exploiting youth desperation.
Call for Vigilance and Action
This tragedy underscores risks of unverified overseas jobs. Families urge MEA swiftness; police warn verifying recruiters via official channels. As pressure mounts, will India mount a rescue before more lives shatter? Stay alert—report suspicious offers to cyber cells.
