67 Indian youths rescued from cyber scam centres in Laos

The Indian Embassy in Vientiane has rescued 67 Indian youths who were duped and trafficked into cyber scam centres operating in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in Bokeo Province, Laos, an official readout said on Monday. They were forced to work under intimidation and abuse by criminal syndicates.

Upon receiving requests for help, embassy officials responded promptly and extended necessary assistance. A team travelled to GTSEZ and worked closely with the Lao authorities to bring the Indian youths to the embassy. Their transportation from Bokeo to Vientiane was facilitated, and arrangements for accommodation and food were made by the embassy.

Prashant Agrawal, Ambassador of India to Lao PDR, met with the rescued youth to discuss the challenges they faced. He assured them of their safety and the embassy’s full support for their safe return to India. Agrawal also advised them to lodge complaints against the agents who duped them.

The embassy is working with the Lao authorities to complete exit formalities, after which the rescued youth will be able to return to India. So far, 924 Indians have been rescued, with 857 already safely returned to India from Laos.

The embassy cautioned Indian youth about job offers in Thailand that may lead to trafficking to GTSEZ in Laos. Once in GTSEZ, passports may be seized, and victims may be forced to sign an exploitative ‘work contract’ in a foreign language.