Several Indian youths, who were lured to Thailand with the prospect of a “good job” and then sold to a cybercrime gang in Myanmar, were recently rescued by the Indian government.
In a conversation with News18, Vidhan Gautam, 24, one of the youths who was defrauded, narrated his ordeal. In May 2024, a resident of Dehradun, Vidhan and five others having a diploma in computer operations, were lured by an agent for a job in Thailand. However, after reaching Thailand, they were asked to illegally cross the Moie River – a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar.
“In Myanmar, we were handed over (rather sold) to a group of people operating a cybercrime cartel in Myawaddy (fourth largest city of Myanmar),” Vidhan told News18.
“We were beaten badly and compelled to engage in cyber-crimes. We were given targets daily. In our compound alone, some 70-odd teams worked day and night as cyber slaves. Besides Indians, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani youngsters were also forced to commit cybercrimes,” he added.
Vidhan and his friends somehow managed to buy a mobile phone with the help of a local and get in touch with Indian authorities. With the intervention of the Indian embassy, Thai authorities reached out to the Myanmar Army.
“Eight of us (Indians) were fined $1500 by the Myanmar Army and jailed for a short duration. We were then deported to Thailand where again we were sent to jail for a month,” Vidhan stated.
He also noted that the cybercrime cartel contacted his family and demanded ransom for his release. “My family paid $2000 and other families too paid up to $5000,” Vidhan added.
He arrived at his home in Dehradun two days ago. His mother Ranjita Gautam expressed happiness on her son’s safe return and said, “Money doesn’t matter. I am happy my son is back and safe.”
According to media reports, Southeast Asian countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar have emerged as a haven for cyber frauds who lure youngsters in search of jobs. Earlier in May this year, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia informed that 60 Indians had been rescued from the clutches of cyber gangs.
(With inputs from Satendra Barthwal)
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