In a shocking revelation, official data shows that 29,466 Indians who traveled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam between January 2022 and May 2024 on tourist visas have not returned. Notably, more than half (17,115) of these people are between the ages of 20 and 39, with males making up the majority (21,182). This information, compiled by the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlights that more than one third of those who are unknown are from Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Thailand alone is responsible for more than 69 percent of these cases, with 20,450 people reported missing.
The development comes against a backdrop of increasing reports of Indians being lured to Southeast Asia with the promise of high-paying jobs, only to be trapped in what has been described as ‘cyber slavery’. Victims are reportedly coerced into online fraud and other illegal activities, often under threat of violence.
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In response, the Center has established a high-level ministerial task force to investigate and deal with the issue. The panel, set up in May, has directed all states and union territories (UTs) to conduct ground verification and collect details of these missing persons. The task force also urged the immigration department to develop ways to identify potential victims before they turn their backs.
Extensive state intelligence data has been released
The data, which highlights the scale of the issue across India, shows that, apart from Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, significant numbers of people are missing in Uttar Pradesh (2,946), Kerala (2,659), Delhi (2,140), Gujarat ( 2,068), and Haryana (1,928). Karnataka, Telangana, and Rajasthan also reported hundreds of people missing, with smaller numbers from states like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
Notably, the largest number of non-returnees traveled through Delhi airport (12,493), followed by airports in Mumbai (4,699), Kolkata (2,395), and Kochi (2,296).
Growing concern over ‘cyber slavery’
Concerns about the issue first gained attention earlier this year when it was reported that more than 5,000 Indians were allegedly stranded in Cambodia, forced to commit online fraud under duress. These people are often sent abroad with false promises of data entry jobs, only to find themselves exploited in illegal activities.
The Indian Cyber ​​​​Crime Coordination Center (I4C), a part of the MHA, has noted a significant increase in cybercrime originating in Southeast Asia. In fact, 45 percent of cyber crimes targeting Indians are believed to originate from this region. As of January 2023, nearly 100,000 cyber complaints have been filed on the National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal.
Sources said The Indian Express that victims are recruited by fraud companies, where they are required to create fake social media profiles, often using images of women, to lure unsuspecting people into crypto-currency fraud schemes. If the target person invests, they are blocked or ‘ghosted’, and remain defrauded.
The task force identifies key gaps
A panel of ministers, including representatives of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and senior officials from states and UTs (MeitY), identified several gaps in Indian banks. , immigration, and telecom systems that contributed to the crisis. The Bureau of Immigration has been tasked with creating ways to flag potential victims, while the Department of Civil Aviation has been instructed to introduce preventive measures to stop the exit of people at risk of exploitation.
In a meeting earlier this month, information compiled by the Bureau of Immigration was shared with senior officials of various government departments, as well as security agencies such as the National Investigation Agency and the Central Bureau of Investigation. This institution is committed to taking strict measures to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
The victims are speaking out
Some of the people who managed to escape have narrated their horrific experiences. Speaking to the Indian Express newspaper, several rescued men described being lured by promises of lucrative jobs abroad. Once they arrive in Cambodia, Thailand, or Vietnam, their passports are confiscated, and they are forced to commit online fraud.
“We were told that we would enter the information, but we got caught in fraud campaigns,” said one survivor. “They took our passports and forced us to scam people into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms. If we didn’t do that, we were threatened or beaten.”
The plight of these victims has drawn attention to the growing problem of human trafficking and cybercrime, with many calling for increased efforts to combat the causes and provide assistance to those affected.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging caution for those looking for work opportunities abroad. The MHA also called for greater cooperation between India and its Southeast Asian partners to tackle this transnational criminal network.
First published: Sep 30 2024 | 1:24 PM IST