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The Indian Embassy in Laos has successfully rescued 47 Indians who were trapped in cyber scam centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo province. This rescue operation marks the latest effort by Indian authorities to combat the growing issue of human trafficking and cybercrime targeting Indian citizens. The embassy has been actively working to rescue Indians lured to Laos with fake job offers, and this latest success brings the total number of rescued individuals to 635.
The 47 rescued individuals were initially lured to Laos with promises of lucrative jobs. However, upon arrival, they found themselves trapped in cyber scam centres, forced to engage in fraudulent activities. The embassy's statement highlights the coordinated effort involved in the rescue mission, stating that 29 of the rescued individuals were handed over by Laotian authorities following their crackdown on illegal activities in the Golden Triangle SEZ, while the remaining 18 approached the embassy directly for assistance. The embassy officials travelled from Vientiane to Bokeo to liaise with local authorities and secure the release of the trapped individuals.
The Indian Ambassador to Laos, Prashant Agrawal, met with the rescued group upon their arrival in Vientiane to discuss the challenges they faced and to provide guidance for their future. The embassy also undertook all necessary procedures required by Laotian authorities for the repatriation of the rescued Indians. While 30 of the individuals have already returned to India or are en route, the remaining 17 are awaiting finalized travel arrangements and will be leaving Laos shortly. The ambassador emphasized the embassy's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad, highlighting the priority placed on this matter.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of human trafficking and cybercrime, particularly targeting citizens from developing countries. The Indian government has been actively raising this issue with international partners, including the Laotian government. During his visit to Laos last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue of trafficking of Indian nationals with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The Indian embassy continues to urge the Laotian government to take decisive action against unscrupulous elements operating within its borders, aiming to prevent future incidents of exploitation and ensure the safety of Indian citizens travelling to the country.