Mangalore: In a significant operation, the Ministry of External Affairs has successfully rescued approximately 250 Indians who were trapped in a cybercrime syndicate based in Cambodia. Among those rescued are three individuals from Dakshina Kannada district.
The victims were lured to Cambodia under the false promise of lucrative IT job opportunities but were instead coerced into participating in cybercrime activities. They were forced to create fake social media profiles and engage in fraudulent schemes involving stock markets and cryptocurrency, targeting unsuspecting individuals across India.
The individuals described their harrowing experiences of captivity, including physical and mental abuse, and were pressured to meet daily quotas for fraudulent transactions. Despite the severe conditions, three people from Dakshina Kannada managed to escape and return to India, where they alerted the authorities to the dire situation.
A parallel case in Odisha, where a victim lost ₹67 lakh to a cybercrime operation, led investigators to the Cambodia-based syndicate. In response, Indian authorities, working in coordination with their Cambodian counterparts, launched a comprehensive rescue operation. This successful mission resulted in the return of 250 individuals to India.
The case underscores the escalating threat of cybercrime and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by sophisticated criminal networks. Authorities are now concentrating on dismantling the syndicate and bringing those responsible to justice.
This operation serves as a crucial reminder of the dangers associated with fraudulent job offers and the need for vigilance. Prospective job seekers are advised to exercise extreme caution when approached by unknown entities or when engaging with online platforms, especially those promising unusually high returns.
The rescue highlights the ongoing efforts by international and local authorities to combat cybercrime and protect individuals from falling victim to such elaborate schemes.
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