Hyderabad: The ministry of external affairs has ramped up its diplomatic efforts with Myanmar’s military junta and other stakeholders to secure the release of at least 500 more Indians trapped in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, a region controlled by the Border Guard Force (BGF). This comes on the heels of the recent repatriation of approximately 540 Indians, coordinated by the Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand.
Many victims were initially lured to these centres under false pretences, often with promises of data entry jobs. Upon arrival, they were allegedly coerced into participating in cyber fraud operations, targeting individuals across various countries. Only those actively seeking assistance through the embassies or media channels and willing to be relocated are being identified and rescued with the cooperation of the BGF, which operates independently.
As part of recent evacuation efforts, 540 Indians—among them 24 from Telangana and 18 from Andhra Pradesh—were airlifted by the Indian Air Force’s C-17 aircraft from Mae Sot in Thailand to Ghaziabad. From there, they were handed over to their respective state govts for further support.
MEA sources estimate that nearly 2,000 Indians are still held in these cybercrime centres. The latest mission aims to bring back 500 more, though the process remains complicated due to the region’s lawlessness and the BGF’s autonomous control over Myawaddy. The militia group has permitted only those requesting help to leave, while many Indians are reported to be working in the centres voluntarily and have declined repatriation.
Challenges in evacuating victims
Myawaddy has become a hub for large-scale online fraud, where individuals trapped in cyber scam operations are forced to target global victims, including those in India, under the guise of investments and digital arrests. Many are unable to escape unless they pay substantial ransoms. The Indian govt, in coordination with international agencies, continues to push for broader intervention.
While diplomatic channels have yielded some progress, officials caution that the full scope of the cybercrime network remains unknown. The MEA has issued an advisory to job-seekers, warning them to avoid falling into such traps. In addition to Myanmar, cybercrime centres are also reportedly operating in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
