Myanmar’s armed forces have freed around 70 Indian nationals trapped in KK Park, a notorious cybercrime hub in Myawaddy. The rescued individuals have been moved to Mae Sot, a Thai border town, where Indian authorities coordinate their return.
KK Park has been linked to fraudulent operations run by Chinese crime syndicates, who allegedly forced foreign nationals, including Indians, into conducting scams.
According to TOI, the rescued Indians hail from multiple states, including Gujarat (15), Rajasthan (20), Andhra Pradesh (5), Telangana (2), Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Karnataka. Five women, primarily from Gujarat and Maharashtra, are also among them.
K Madhukar Reddy, a victim from Karimnagar, Telangana, described the harrowing experience. He stated that around 70-80 Indians were waiting at a bus station for further processing.
“We are requesting Indian authorities in Bangkok to shift us to India as early as possible,” Reddy pleaded. He had managed to contact his family before losing access to mobile communication.
Indian officials in Thailand are monitoring the situation closely to facilitate their safe return.
Myanmar’s Border Guard Force (BGF), previously accused of colluding with Chinese-run scam centres, played a key role in the raid. Officials have vowed to dismantle similar operations in the region. Several suspected organisers have been detained, though their identities remain undisclosed.
Meanwhile, Thailand cut electricity supply to Myanmar towns accused of harbouring Chinese scam operations. Moreover, the Lancang-Mekong Enforcement Cooperation (LMLEC), consisting of China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, has taken a stand against the scam operations in border areas of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Beyond Myanmar, authorities in Cambodia are also targeting cybercrime syndicates, leading to the release of several Indian nationals trapped in similar operations. International law enforcement agencies have been working with regional governments to curb these illicit activities.
Last week, Indian Embassy in Laos rescued 53 Indians from cyber scam syndicates in Laos. Last month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) intensified the crackdown against Laos’s human trafficking and cyber slavery network.
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