India rescues 67 youth from cyber scam centres in Laos

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North News

New Delhi, January 27

The Embassy of India has successfully rescued 67 Indian youth who had been trafficked and coerced into working at cyber-scam centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in Bokeo Province, Lao PDR. These individuals were reportedly subjected to abuse and intimidation by criminal syndicates operating in the region.

Upon receiving distress signals from the youth, the Indian Embassy promptly mobilized a response. A team of officials traveled to GTSEZ, collaborating with Lao authorities to ensure the necessary procedures were followed, allowing the youth to leave and make their way to the Embassy in Vientiane. Their transport, accommodation, and food arrangements were handled by the Embassy.

Prashant Agrawal, India’s Ambassador to Lao PDR, met with the rescued individuals, providing assurance of their safety and offering full Embassy support for their return to India. He encouraged them to file complaints against the agents responsible for their trafficking.

Currently, Embassy officials are working with Lao authorities to finalize exit formalities for the youth. The Indian government has thanked Laos for its cooperation and urged further action against those involved in the trafficking. The matter has been escalated to the highest levels in both nations.

To date, the Indian Embassy has rescued 924 nationals, with 857 successfully returned to India. Authorities caution Indian youth who are promised jobs in Thailand but are transported by road to the Thai-Lao border, as this often signals trafficking to GTSEZ, where victims may be forced to work under exploitative conditions and have their passports confiscated.