HYDERABAD: Nearly 2,000 Indians are currently working in cyber scam operations in Myawaddy, a lawless region near the Myanmar-Thailand border controlled by armed militias. Many were lured by fraudulent job offers and are now being forced to participate in online scams targeting victims in India and the US.
While some individuals have been rescued, Indian authorities warn that the true scale of the scam is much larger, with many still unaware of the dangers. The Indian embassy has been working to evacuate citizens, but officials emphasize that those willingly engaging in these frauds are not victims—they are criminals who may face legal consequences.
Myawaddy has become a notorious cybercrime hub where workers, often under duress, are coerced into online fraud. Many victims, trapped by false job promises, are held in scam centres with no means of escape unless they pay large ransoms. The region’s control by militias and warlords has complicated rescue efforts, though Indian consular officials are assisting those seeking help.
In response to global pressure, Thai authorities have cut electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to key areas in Myanmar housing these operations. China has also urged Thailand to curb cross-border power networks supporting these scam syndicates. However, the situation remains dire, with many Indians still caught in these cybercrime rings.
At least 150 individuals have been identified as victims, though officials suspect the actual number is much higher, as many are reportedly working voluntarily and have not reached out for assistance. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed ongoing efforts to help those seeking repatriation.
On February 18, three Indians escaped from a scam centre in Myawaddy and were assisted by the Indian embassy in reaching Yangon. They are now being processed for repatriation. However, officials caution that large-scale rescue efforts remain challenging due to the lawlessness of Myawaddy.
Since June 2022, more than 600 Indians have been rescued from cyber scam operations across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
