Indians trapped to commit cyber-crimes in Cambodia

• 75 Indians rescued from Cambodia

• Accusation of looting Rs 500 crore in six months

Representational image (Credits : Madhyamam)

New Delhi – On getting information on 5,000 Indians being held against their will in Cambodia to commit cyber-crimes on people back home. The Indian Consulate took action and rescued 75 Indians so far, stated Avaran Abraham, Second Secretary (Consular and Diaspora), Indian Consulate in Cambodia.

The officers at the Indian Consulate took action after receiving around 130 complaints in this context. (What were those officers doing till they received such complaints ? Why doesn’t the Consulate collect information about the condition of Indians and whether they faced any problems ? – Editor) According to government estimates, the “fraudsters” have allegedly duped people in India of at least Rs 500 crore over the last six months. A source said those trapped in Cambodia were forced to extort money from people by pretending to be law enforcement officials, saying they had found some suspicious materials in their parcels.

Map of Cambodia (Credits : Britannica)

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and other security experts to draw up a strategy to rescue the Indians trapped in Cambodia.

Abraham further informed about regularly receiving 4–5 complaints every day from different parts of Cambodia. His office then immediately informs the Police about it. The people are also guided to reach the Embassy office. Many people are in trauma; therefore, the office has been even counselling the victims. The main problem is that the people going back to India after rescue, don’t file FIR once they reach India. If they register cases, the Indian Police would be able to reach up to the agents and companies offering jobs abroad. (Why doesn’t the Home Department take the initiative and take action in case Indians are not registering cases ? – Editor) Presently, the office is in contact with the Union Home Ministry and passing on the information about an agent as it is received.

Indians in #Cambodia are being forced to commit #cybercrimes !

– 75 Indians rescued from Cambodia
– Allegation of looting 500 crore rupees in 6 months

What do those Indians going abroad for jobs do there ? Are they being cheated ? Do they face any other problems ?
– Why… pic.twitter.com/WRKjR5VEfM

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 30, 2024

How did Indians get caught in this trap ?

Many people go to Cambodia in search for a job as ‘Data-entry Operator’, but agents mislead them, and later, they realise they have been trapped. Most of them are, however, poor and some of them even pay huge sums to the agents for securing jobs; therefore, they feel that they should stay back in Cambodia to earn enough before leaving.

Editorial Perspectives

• Why doesn’t the Indian Consulate keep a tab on Indians going to other countries; whether they are cheated or they face any problems, etc.?
• Why doesn’t CBI check the background of agents who offer jobs to Indians in other countries ? Is there any system which keeps an eye on such things ?