Job frauds linked to Cambodia continue to trouble Visakhapatnam, with more cases being reported frequently. Many young individuals are falling into the trap of fake job offers and ending up in international cybercrime networks. Disguised as data entry or hospitality roles, these job offers lead the victims into illegal operations abroad.
In the latest case, around ten people from Visakhapatnam and nearby areas are reportedly stranded in an unknown location in Thailand. They are being forced to engage in cybercrimes against their will. This situation came to light when the victims secretly shared a video message with their families, asking for help.
On 30 July, the parents of one of the victims met the Visakhapatnam West MLA, P G V R Naidu (Gana Babu), who promised to take the matter to the relevant authorities and embassies. The names of the victims have not been disclosed at the request of their families, as there is a threat to their safety.
According to the victims, they were recruited by unidentified agencies with promises of jobs such as receptionist, hotel staff and data entry in Thailand. A week after they began work, the fraudsters took away their passports. In the video message, the victims revealed that they were blindfolded, moved around in several vehicles and made to walk long distances so that they would not know where they were being taken.
Once they reached an undisclosed location, they were forced to participate in cybercrime activities. Those who refused were beaten. The victims’ families have appealed for quick action to bring them back home.
Local police said that some recruitment agencies are targeting unemployed youth and sending them to countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Bangkok. Once there, they are forced to work for organised cybercrime groups.
These criminal groups operate fake social media accounts and run scams involving cryptocurrency, instant loans, online dating traps, fake police arrests and other financial frauds. Police believe that more than 150 people from Visakhapatnam are still trapped in these networks, while 87 have been rescued over the past year.
Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi has advised all job seekers to carefully check the background and licences of recruitment agencies before accepting any offers. Awareness posters have been put up at all police stations in the city to warn against such scams.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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