Cyber Crime
Trapped and Exploited: How 30 Indian Youths Became Victims of a Ruthless International Job Scam
Indian youths trapped in Laos by job scam; Mumbai Police investigate. A harrowing tale of deceit and survival.
Mumbai Police have unearthed a fake job racket that lured over 25-30 Indian youngsters with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand. The victims, however, were eventually smuggled to Laos and forced to work in a call center, making fraudulent calls to target people in Europe, the US, and Canada.
The crime came to light after a Thane resident, Siddharth Yadav (23), managed to escape and return to India with help from the Indian embassy in Laos. Yadav, a hotel management graduate, filed an FIR with the Vile Parle Police, narrating the ordeal.
Deceptive Offers and Forced Labor
According to Yadav’s complaint, he was contacted in December 2022 through a relative’s connection. He was offered a lucrative call center job in Thailand with a salary of Rs 65,000 per month. However, upon arrival in Chiang Rai, Thailand, the victims were driven to the Laos border by a Chinese national. Their passports were confiscated, and they were transported to Laos by boat.
ALSO READ: Exposed: The Cambodia Connection in Cheating Indian Victims Through Fake Investments, Stocks and Slavery
In Laos’ Golden Triangle area, Yadav and his fellow victims encountered two Indian nationals, identified as Godfrey and Sunny. These individuals forced them to work in a cybercrime operation. The victims were given equipment and instructed to create fake social media accounts to target people in Western countries. Their objective was to dupe them into investing in cryptocurrency.
Escape and Investigation
With no salary received and fearing for their safety, the victims decided to escape. However, their attempts to retrieve their passports from the perpetrators were met with demands for money. This prompted them to contact the Indian embassy, leading to a confrontation with the accused.
ALSO READ: DIP & Chakshu: Government Launches Powerful Weapons Against Cybercrime
Action Taken and Ongoing Probe
Following the embassy’s intervention and pressure from local Laotian police, the victims were rescued. While some received their passports quickly, Yadav’s return was delayed. Upon his arrival in India, Yadav, along with the police, pieced together the events, leading to the registration of an FIR.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is currently investigating the case. Two of the accused are believed to be from Mumbai. The authorities are actively searching for those involved in this human trafficking and cybercrime racket.
This incident highlights the dangers of fake job scams that target vulnerable individuals seeking employment opportunities. It serves as a reminder to be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true and to conduct thorough research before accepting any job proposal, especially those involving international travel.