India rescues 14 human-trafficking victims lured by crypto scammers

The Indian Embassy in Laos recently rescued 14 Indian youth from cyber fraud hotbeds in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in the Bokeo province of Laos.

These individuals were lured with fake job offers and taken to Laos, where they were held captive and forced to work under harsh conditions. So far, 548 Indian nationals have been rescued from the same crypto-related human trafficking scams.

The rescued individuals were lured into travelling to Laos with the promise of well-paying jobs, with shady call centre and crypto scam companies offering them positions such as ‘digital sales and marketing managers’ or ‘customer support service’.

The Embassy has rescued 14 more Indian youth from cyber fraud hotspots in the Golden Triangle SEZ. Our officials are working tirelessly and closely with Lao authorities to ensure their safe return to India. So far, 548 Indian youth have been rescued.
Below is some important advice for Indian youth. pic.twitter.com/4RRFS24yBO

— India in Laos (@IndianEmbLaos) August 7, 2024

The hiring process included interviews, typing tests, and assurances of generous salaries, hotel accommodations, round-trip airline tickets, and visa assistance.

The truth is that these people were then trafficked into positions that were both physically and mentally traumatic. Some were forced into serious manipulative jobs, while others were forced to commit similar crypto or technology-related scams.

Embassy warns citizens about scams

In a statement, the embassy highlighted its ongoing efforts with Lao authorities to ensure the safe return of these individuals. Victims are often recruited by agents in Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and India, and then illegally transported from Thailand to Laos.

The embassy urged Indian nationals to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies and companies before accepting job offers in Laos. It warned that employment on a ‘Visa on Arrival’ is illegal and those convicted of human trafficking in Laos face up to 18 years in prison.

Pig slaughter scam

As in Laos, online scammers often exploit victims by making false promises and trust via crypto-related websites. Pig slaughtering scams involve scammers befriending victims under the pretense of a potential love interest.

Scammers gain the trust of their victims and convince them to invest heavily in seemingly lucrative schemes. Once convinced, the victim is convinced to invest in what appears to be a promising cryptocurrency opportunity. These schemes often involve constant pressure on the victim to invest more money before the scammers disappear.