Lure of overseas jobs land Telangana youth in trap of organised cybercrime rackets abroad

Dozens of youth are being lured to Southeast Asian countries under the false promise of high-paying jobs only to find themselves forced into organised cybercrime networks

Hyderabad: Several youths, particularly from Telangana and Hyderabad, are being trapped in the cybercrime racket abroad under the pretext of lucrative jobs, which is a growing concern now.

Dozens of youth are being lured to Southeast Asian countries under the false promise of high-paying jobs, only to find themselves forced into organised cybercrime networks.
Illegal travel agents operating from Telangana and other places, including Uttar Pradesh and Pune, have been actively recruiting young job aspirants.

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“These agents promise opportunities in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Once the victims arrive, primarily in Cambodia, the reality is starkly different. They are confined in remote compounds and forced to work in call centres managed by Chinese nationals,” said an official from the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau.

Cybercrime officials said that after a brief communication training, job seekers are instructed to impersonate representatives of international courier companies or even Indian law enforcement officers. “They are tasked to make calls to Indian mobile numbers and engage in scams designed to cheat unsuspecting citizens back home,” the official added.

Officials say they are working to dismantle the local network of agents responsible for recruiting and trafficking the youth.

Recent investigations also revealed that some youth from India, who are already involved in these jobs, are willingly working for the Chinese managers by becoming agents and establishing contacts with travel agents in India, who in turn lure gullible youth from different parts of the country by offering data entry jobs.
Police sources said that under threat of physical harm or prolonged detention, in some cases even virtually held captive, the victims are confined.

Advisory:

*Do not blindly believe advertisements offering jobs abroad by travel agents for overseas manpower, especially to countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

*In cases of overseas job offers, approach the Protector General of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs to verify that the travel agent is registered.

*Obtain immigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants before travelling if the recruiting agents are registered with the Protector General of Emigrants.

* In case of any doubt, contact the TGCSB at director-tscsb@tspolice.gov.in.