The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has ramped up its diplomatic efforts with Myanmar’s military junta and local stakeholders to secure the release of at least 500 more Indian nationals trapped in cybercrime hubs in Myawaddy, following the recent successful repatriation of approximately 540 Indians.
Many of these individuals were deceived by fraudulent job offers, primarily advertised as data entry positions. Upon arrival, they were coerced into cyber fraud operations targeting victims across multiple countries.
These cybercrime syndicates operate within Myawaddy, a region under the control of the Border Guard Force (BGF), a militia aligned with Myanmar’s military junta, which exercises considerable autonomy in its operations.
Indian officials estimate that nearly 2,000 citizens are trapped in these illicit centres. The ongoing rescue mission seeks to extract at least 500 more individuals, but the operation is fraught with complications. Myawaddy’s lawless environment, coupled with the semi-independent control of the BGF, presents significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles.
The militia has permitted only those actively seeking repatriation through Indian embassies or media channels to leave the centres, reports TOI.
However, as The420 wrote, some Indians have opted to stay voluntarily, either due to financial incentives or coercion by the operator of these cybercrime hubs. This further complicates the situation.
A few days ago, India rescued 283 citizens trapped in cybercrime rackets in Southeast Asia in an operation led by Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand. Last month, India conducted two rescue operations. In one of these operations, India rescued 53 and 70 of its citizens from Myanmar and Laos.
In January 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India intensified an investigation into the Laos human trafficking network and cyber slavery syndicate and arrested a suspect.
Southeast Asian nations including Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, among others, are the hotspots of online scam centres. Thailand even cut power supply to Myanmar towns linked to Chinese-sponsored scam centres.
To counter the rising threat of cyber scams, six Asian nations including China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam took a stand against the cybercriminals by forming the Lancang-Mekong Law Enforcement Cooperation (LMLEC).
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