Mangaluru: Five youths from Mangaluru who were trapped in Cambodia after being lured by a fake overseas job offer and forced into a cyber fraud racket have been rescued and safely brought back to India. Their return follows sustained efforts by Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta and coordinated intervention by the Government of India through the Ministry of External Affairs.

The youths, all residents of Dakshina Kannada district, had travelled to Cambodia several months ago after being promised lucrative data entry jobs with a monthly salary of ₹1 lakh. Instead, they were allegedly held captive, coerced into cybercrime activities and subjected to physical and mental abuse when they refused to participate in illegal operations.

According to official sources, a total of 37 Indian nationals from different states, including the five youths from Dakshina Kannada, returned to India on January 27 after being rescued through diplomatic channels.

Trapped by fake job promises

The victims had gone abroad through a consultancy that claimed to provide legitimate overseas employment opportunities. Upon reaching Cambodia, they reportedly realised that the job offer was fraudulent. Their passports were allegedly confiscated, and they were forced to work as part of an organised cybercrime network targeting unsuspecting victims online.

When the youths resisted participating in cyber fraud, they were allegedly subjected to electric shocks, intimidation, and prolonged physical and psychological torture. They were also forced to work long hours under constant surveillance, with little access to food, rest or medical care.

Families back home in Mangaluru grew increasingly anxious as communication from the youths became sporadic and distressing. In some cases, the victims managed to secretly send messages describing their situation and pleading for help.

MP’s intervention and diplomatic efforts

After being alerted to the plight of the youths, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta took up the matter on an urgent basis. Sources said he remained in constant touch with officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia and local diplomatic authorities for several months to ensure the victims’ safe return.

The rescue operation required sustained follow-up, coordination between multiple agencies and cooperation from Cambodian authorities. Officials involved in the process noted that securing the release of victims trapped in international cybercrime syndicates is complex and time-consuming, as such networks often operate across borders and outside formal legal frameworks.

Despite these challenges, the Government of India treated the issue with priority. Through diplomatic negotiations and ground-level intervention by the Indian Embassy, the victims were eventually located, released and repatriated along with other Indian nationals held under similar conditions.

Relief and gratitude expressed

Expressing relief over the successful rescue, Capt Brijesh Chowta said it was a moment of great satisfaction that the five youths from his constituency had finally returned home safely after enduring months of suffering.

He stated that while the task was not easy, the central government extended full cooperation through the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back all 37 affected Indians. The MP thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and officials of the ministry for their timely intervention and commitment to the safety of Indian citizens abroad.

Capt Chowta also acknowledged the role of the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, whose officials worked closely with local authorities to identify and free the victims from the clutches of cyber fraud operators.

Warning to youngsters and families

In the wake of the incident, the MP issued a strong warning to youngsters and job seekers against falling prey to fake overseas job offers. He urged aspiring candidates to verify the credentials of consultancies and recruitment agencies before accepting employment abroad.

He also advised families to remain vigilant and immediately approach elected representatives or government authorities if they suspect that their relatives working overseas are in distress or have been deceived.

Officials echoed this caution, noting a growing trend of Indian youths being trafficked to countries in Southeast Asia under the guise of high-paying jobs, only to be forced into cybercrime and online fraud operations.

A growing concern

The rescue of the five youths highlights a larger and alarming issue of cybercrime-linked human trafficking targeting unemployed and underemployed youth in India. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned about such scams, particularly those promising unusually high salaries for minimal skills.

As the rescued youths reunite with their families, authorities hope that greater awareness and stricter regulation of overseas recruitment agencies will help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The successful repatriation stands as a reminder of the importance of diplomatic intervention, inter-agency coordination and timely action in safeguarding Indian citizens abroad.