FILE PHOTO: Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the word “Cybercrime” in this illustration taken February 19, 2024. The Indian government said it was rescuing its citizens who were lured into employment in Cambodia and were being forced to participate in cyber fraud schemes. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
NEW DELHI — The Indian government said it was rescuing its citizens who were lured into employment in Cambodia and were being forced to participate in cyber fraud schemes.
India’s embassy in Cambodia is working with Cambodian authorities and has rescued and repatriated about 250 Indians, including 75 in the last three months, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Saturday.
Jaiswal was responding to Indian news reports that stated more than 5,000 Indians are trapped in Cambodia and being forced to carry out cyber frauds on people back home.
“We are also working with Cambodian authorities and with agencies in India to crack down on those responsible for these fraudulent schemes,” Jaiswal said.
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India’s government and its embassy in Cambodia have issued several advisories informing them about such scams, the spokesperson said.
The Cambodian embassy in India did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Sunday.
In December last year, 27 Filipinos were repatriated from Cambodia after being rescued by authorities while being transferred to another online scamming facility.
The 27 Filipinos arrived in Cambodia on various dates as tourists. However, they were eventually employed in companies that engaged in scamming activities.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said this is the largest group of repatriated victims of human trafficking in Cambodia.
It then reminded Filipinos seeking work opportunities abroad to be wary of job recruitment posted on social media, and to only engage with government-authorized recruitment agencies.