In a joint operation, the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department, along with several Central government agencies, rescued 22 Indian youths who were held inside a cybercrime compound in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
A special team led by Director General of Police Ravi Shankar Ayyanar and Superintendent of Police Adhiraj Singh Rana carried out the rescue. So far, the team has helped free 120 youths who were trapped in what officials described as cyber slavery.
“Cyber fraudsters lured youths from Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Kadapa, Vizianagaram and other districts by promising high profile jobs in the IT sector and forced them to do online frauds,” Mr Adhiraj Singh Rana told the media at the CID headquarters on Monday.
According to officials, organised cybercriminal groups from Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos were involved in trafficking Indian youths. Once taken abroad, the victims were confined and forced to carry out online fraud activities.
Mr Ayyanar, who closely monitored the operation with international agencies, praised the team for their efforts and for reuniting the rescued youths with their families.
CID Deputy SP B Ravi Kiran said the Andhra Pradesh Police worked closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Investigation Agency, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre and the concerned embassies to break the international human trafficking network.
The police said the fraudsters used social media groups and online platforms to advertise fake job opportunities. They conducted online interviews and offered roles in digital marketing, customer support, data entry and other IT related fields.
After selection, the victims were sent flight tickets and were picked up at airports. Agents then escorted them to cybercrime compounds, where they were confined for several months.
“In the last three months, 1,586 Indian youths were rescued from cybercrime hubs, of whom 120 belonged to Andhra Pradesh. We are trying to bring back the remaining victims with the help of MHA, MEA, NIA and other agencies,” Mr Adhiraj Singh Rana said.
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