The Indian Embassy of Laos recently rescued 14 Indian youths from cyber-scam centers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in the Bokeo province of Laos.
These individuals were deceived with fake job offers, leading them to Laos where they were held captive and forced to work under harsh conditions. So far, 548 Indian nationals have been rescued from identical crypto-related human trafficking scams.
The people who were saved had been deceived into traveling to Laos with the promise of well-paying jobs. Questionable companies engaged in call center scams and crypto fraud offered them positions such as ‘digital sales and marketing executives’ or ‘customer support service.’
Embassy rescues 14 more Indian youth from cyber-scam centres in Golden Triangle SEZ. Our officials work tirelessly and closely with Lao authorities to ensure their safe return back to India. 548 Indian youth rescued so far.
— India in Laos (@IndianEmbLaos) August 7, 2024
Important Advisory for Indian youth in thread below pic.twitter.com/4RRFS24yBO
The recruitment process included interviews, typing tests, and assurances of generous salaries, hotel accommodations, return flights, and visa assistance.
The reality is that these people were then human-trafficked into jarring work positions, both physically and mentally. Some were forced into serious manual labor, while others were forced to enact similar crypto or tech-related fraud.
Embassy warns nationals of fraud
In a statement, the Embassy emphasized its ongoing efforts with Lao authorities to ensure the safe return of these individuals. Victims are typically recruited by agents in Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, and India and are then transported illegally from Thailand to Laos.
The Embassy urged Indian nationals to verify the credentials of recruiting agents and companies before accepting job offers in Laos. It warned that employment on a ‘Visa on Arrival’ is illegal, and those convicted of human trafficking in Laos face sentences of up to 18 years.
Pig-butchering scams
As in Laos, online scammers often exploit victims through crypto-related websites by faking promises and trust. Pig butchering scams involve fraudsters befriending victims under the pretense of a potential love interest.
The scammers gain the trust of their victims and convince them to make large investments in seemingly lucrative schemes. Once the victim is persuaded, they are lured into investing in what appears to be a promising cryptocurrency opportunity. These schemes often involve continuous pressure on the victim to invest more money before the fraudsters disappear.