Rescue Operation Uncovers Cyber Slavery of 60 Indians in Myanmar

Sixty Indians were rescued from cyber slavery in Myanmar after being forced into online fraud operations. The rescue involved the Maharashtra cyber department and government ministries, leading to the arrest of five recruitment agents. Victims were subjected to severe mistreatment and coerced into scams. Their experiences highlight the recurring issue of fraudulent overseas job schemes.

Approximately 60 Indians have been rescued from severe cyber slavery conditions in Myanmar, where they were coerced into participating in online fraud schemes. This rescue operation was the result of collaboration between the Maharashtra cyber department and the Union Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs. Victims were discovered in isolated compounds near the Thailand-Myanmar border, subjected to conditions of torture and forced labor for up to 15 hours daily.

Authorities arrested five recruitment agents, including Manish Grey, known as Maddy, who had ties to various locations, including Myanmar and Thailand. The other arrested individuals included three fellow Indians and Talaniti Nulaxi, a Chinese national previously planning a cybercrime operation in India. These suspects were apprehended in Goa as part of the investigation into the recruitment network.

Recruitment agents used social media to lure unsuspecting individuals with false job offers promising lucrative salaries. Upon arrival in Thailand, victims had their passports confiscated and were subsequently transported to Myanmar, where they fell under the control of armed groups. Trapped, these individuals were forced to sign contracts to work in what are referred to as ‘fraud factories’, generating online scams that mislead victims into financial losses.

The 60 rescued individuals were located in Myawaddy, Myanmar. Of them, the majority hailed from Maharashtra, including Mumbai. Victims recounted harrowing experiences of torture and threats made by their captors, detailing instances of physical abuse if job quotas were not met. They were instructed to impersonate law enforcement to defraud unsuspecting victims, often requiring them to secure personal banking information.

Among the rescued were childhood friends Mudassar Daware and Qais Maniyar, who were misled into thinking they would perform data entry work in Thailand. Instead, they were forced to adopt false identities as US citizens on social media platforms, participating in schemes designed to lure victims into cryptocurrency scams and enduring extreme work hours with scant rest. Their stories highlight the grave risks associated with fraudulent job offers abroad.

The rescue of 60 Indians from cyber slavery in Myanmar underscores the severe dangers posed by fraudulent job offers. Legal authorities are addressing the issue through arrests of key recruitment figures involved in this network. The testimonies of the victims reflect the inhumane treatment faced and the advanced tactics employed by traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals. Increased awareness and protective measures are essential to combat such exploitation.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com