270 Indian Nationals Repatriated and Investigated Following Escape from Myanmar Cyber Scam Operation

The cyber scam centers in Myanmar are engaged in cross-border digital fraud operations.

New Delhi:

Government sources revealed on Sunday that Indian investigative agencies have interrogated the nationals who were recently repatriated from Thailand. These individuals had previously escaped to the Thai border town of Mae Sot from a notorious scam operation in Myanmar following a crackdown.

On Thursday, 270 Indian citizens, including 26 women, were transported back from Thailand via two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force.

According to sources, these Indians were required to pay fines to Thai authorities for illegally crossing into Thailand from Myanmar's Myawaddy town.

Sources also indicated that Thai immigration officials confiscated electronic devices, mobile phones, and multiple passports from various countries that were in possession of many of these Indian nationals.

The Indians reportedly attempted to hide these items before boarding the IAF aircraft, but they were discovered during thorough security checks conducted by immigration authorities.

The Indian investigation agencies questioned these individuals to determine if they were involved in online scam operations run from the KK Park cyber fraud center in Myawaddy.

Sources mentioned that India is also working to repatriate approximately 200 more Indians from Mae Sot, who will likewise face questioning from investigation agencies upon their return to India.

Between October 23 and 30, about 465 Indians had illegally crossed over to the Thai border town, according to the sources.

The initial group of repatriated Indian nationals was transported to the Andaman Islands in two C-130J aircraft. From there, they were flown to New Delhi in an IL-76 (Ilyushin) aircraft.

The Indian embassy in Bangkok and the consulate in Chiang Mai coordinated with Thai government agencies to facilitate the repatriation process.

These Indian nationals were among 1,500 people from 28 countries who escaped to Thailand following the raid on the KK Park cybercrime hub.

Indian diplomatic missions in Thailand and Myanmar are collaborating with their respective host governments to secure the repatriation of Indians allegedly involved in scamming activities who remain in Myanmar.

The scam centers in Myanmar are involved in transnational cyber fraud operations.

A UN report states that hundreds of trafficked individuals of various nationalities were forced to conduct fraudulent activities in these centers. Similar operations are reportedly active in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia as well.

According to the UN report released in May, these underground operations are typically connected to criminal networks that recruit victims globally and force them to work in facilities primarily located in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.