India

67 Indian youth rescued from trafficking in cyber-scam centres in laos

The Indian Embassy in Laos has rescued 67 Indian youth who were trafficked into cyber-scam centres operating in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in Bokeo Province, Laos, the Embassy announced on Monday.

According to the Embassy, these youth were forced to work there under intimidation and abuse by criminal syndicates operating in GTSEZ.

Upon receiving requests for help, Embassy officials responded promptly and extended all necessary assistance. A team from the Embassy traveled to GTSEZ and worked closely with Lao authorities to complete the required procedures and paperwork, enabling the youth to leave GTSEZ and travel to the Embassy in Vientiane.

The Embassy also facilitated their transport from Bokeo to Vientiane and arranged food and accommodation for the rescued individuals.

Indian Ambassador to Laos, Prashant Agrawal, met with all of the rescued youth to discuss the challenges they faced.

As per the statement by the Embassy, Ambassador Prashant Agrawal assured them of their safety and Embassy’s full support as a matter of highest priority for their safe return to India. He also advised them about further course of action, including the need for them to lodge complaints against the agents who had duped them.

In its statement, the Embassy noted that officials are currently working closely with concerned Lao authorities for completion of their exit formalities, following which all of them would be able to travel back to India shortly.

The Embassy expressed gratitude the Lao authorities for their cooperation and requested action at their end against unscrupulous elements, with the matter being raised at the highest levels.

So far, the Embassy noted in its statement that it has rescued 924 Indians, of which 857 have already been safely returned to India.

The Embassy also issued a cautionary advisory for Indian youth seeking job opportunities in Thailand. It warned that those asked to travel by road to Chiang Rai, near the Thai-Lao border, are likely being trafficked to GTSEZ in Laos. Upon arrival in GTSEZ, their passports may be confiscated by criminal syndicates, and they may be forced to sign exploitative contracts in foreign languages.

To prevent such incidents, the Embassy has published a detailed advisory on its website: Click here

The Embassy also shared contact details for assistance in its advisory.

ANI

Ani service

Recent Posts

Jaishankar, European Commission President Leyen discuss ways to deepen partnership

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to…

7 hours ago

“Op Sindoor is proof govt transformed India’s security apparatus”: Rajnath Singh

Stressing that Rs 1.75 lakh crore defence production & Rs 30,000 crore defence exports targets…

7 hours ago

India, Brunei discuss ways to further deepen partnership

Secretary (East) P Kumaran met Permanent Secretary, Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hajah Johariah…

10 hours ago

EU Commission President Leyen meets EAM Jaishankar, says “strategic partnership getting stronger”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Belgium…

10 hours ago

Paank condemns extrajudicial killings of four Baloch men, calls out Pakistan’s ‘kill-and-dump’ policy

Paank, Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, strongly condemned the brutal extrajudicial killings of four…

11 hours ago

NaMo App launches ‘Jan Man Survey’ to mark 11 years of PM Modi’s leadership

To commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 years in office, the Narendra Modi App or…

12 hours ago