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Indian Embassy in Laos successfully rescues 47 nationals from cyber-scam centres
Of the total, 29 individuals were recovered in a coordinated effort with local authorities following their crackdown on illicit activities in the area.
Some of the Indians who were rescued from cyber-scam in Laos. Photo Credit: The Star
On August 31, the Indian Embassy in Laos announced the successful rescue of 47 Indian nationals who were ensnared in cyber-scam operations within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) located in Bokeo Province. Of the total, 29 individuals were recovered in a coordinated effort with local authorities following their crackdown on illicit activities in the area. An additional 18 individuals sought assistance directly from the Embassy.
Embassy officials made the journey from Vientiane, Laos’ capital, to Bokeo to facilitate the operation and liaise with local officials. Upon their return to Vientiane, the Embassy arranged for transportation, accommodation, and meals for the rescued individuals. Indian Ambassador to Laos, Prashant Agrawal, personally welcomed the group and discussed the difficulties they encountered, providing guidance for their future steps.
The Embassy confirmed that all procedural necessities as required by Laos authorities for their repatriation to India had been fulfilled. Thus far, 30 out of the 47 individuals have either returned to India or are en route, while the remaining 17 await finalised travel arrangements.
“We thank Laos authorities for their help and cooperation. We have also urged action at their end against unscrupulous elements and the matter has been raised at the highest levels,” the Embassy said in a statement.
Ambassador Agrawal reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment, stating that, “ensuring safety and well-being of Indians is a matter of top priority for the Embassy. Any request for help received from those in distress is taken up urgently and promptly, and all due assistance extended.” The Embassy has previously rescued a total of 635 Indians and facilitated their return to their home country.
The Embassy expressed gratitude for the support received from Laos authorities and highlighted the necessity for action against the perpetrators behind such scams, mentioning that the subject has been addressed at the highest levels of diplomatic engagement. Furthermore, it cautioned Indian citizens contemplating job offers in Laos to “exercise utmost care and caution, and do the due diligence thoroughly to avoid being duped”. The Embassy’s statement pointed to a directory of detailed advisories accessible on their official website for additional guidance.
This recent operation follows earlier rescues, including one earlier in the month involving 14 Indian individuals and another in May, which resulted in the repatriation of 13 Indians, notably seven from Odisha. The Embassy underscored the prevalent nature of fraudulent job offers, which typically advertise positions such as “Digital Sales and Marketing Executives” or “Customer Support Service” roles as covers for illicit call-centre activities and cryptocurrency scams. Such offers are often propagated by agents based in various international cities, who lure Indian nationals with enticing salaries and promises of logistical support.
Background
The issue of cyber-scam centres in Laos, particularly in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, has become increasingly alarming. Many Indian nationals fall prey to fraudulent job offers that ultimately lead to exploitation within these scams. Such operations usually involve deceptive recruitment strategies by agents based across countries, offering false promises of lucrative jobs, which mask their criminal undertakings. The Indian Embassy in Laos has undertaken measures to provide assistance and protection to its nationals, aiming to combat these scams through collaboration with local authorities and proactive rescue efforts.
