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The individuals were brought back from the Thai border town of Mae Sot after allegedly escaping captivity in sophisticated cyber scam centres operating in Myanmar
These centres, frequently run by organised crime syndicates with Chinese links, force victims into sophisticated ‘pig-butchering’ scams. (Representational image: Pixabay)
In a significant and complex international rescue operation, India successfully repatriated 270 of its nationals, including 26 women, on Thursday. The individuals were brought back from the Thai border town of Mae Sot after allegedly escaping captivity in sophisticated cyber scam centres operating across the international boundary in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
The rescue concludes a harrowing ordeal for the victims, who were initially lured to Southeast Asian countries—often Thailand or Laos—with promises of high-paying jobs in the IT or digital sectors. Once in the region, they were trafficked across the border into the anarchic, conflict-ridden border areas of Myanmar, particularly around Myawaddy, which has become a notorious hub for organised transnational crime.
The Cyber Slavery Nightmare
These centres, frequently run by organised crime syndicates with Chinese links, force victims into sophisticated “pig-butchering” scams. The victims are coerced into engaging in complex cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and investment scams targeting individuals in the US, Europe, and India. According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials, the workers were subjected to inhumane conditions, long working hours, restricted movement, and physical abuse if they failed to meet demanding scam targets.
The breakthrough in this operation occurred when the large group managed a collective escape, crossing the dangerous Moei River that separates Mae Sot (Thailand) from Myawaddy (Myanmar). Upon reaching Thailand, they were received by Indian embassy officials.
Diplomatic and Operational Challenges
The repatriation required extensive coordination between the Indian embassies in Bangkok (Thailand) and Yangon (Myanmar), along with cooperation from Thai authorities. Operating within the Myawaddy region is particularly challenging due to its control by various ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and the lack of central government authority in Myanmar. The MEA has previously issued repeated advisories warning Indian citizens against accepting unregulated employment offers in the region.
This rescue, conducted in coordination with Interpol and various security agencies, is one of the largest single-day repatriations related to cyber scam trafficking. It underscores the growing global crisis of digital-age slavery and the need for stringent measures to dismantle the criminal networks exploiting vulnerable job seekers across Asia. India’s commitment remains to bring back all remaining nationals stranded in similar conditions in Myanmar and other conflict zones in the region.
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via …Read More
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via … Read More
November 06, 2025, 18:53 IST
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