By Gill Bikram Singh 
A major rescue operation, 540 Indians who were lured into a cyber fraud racket with fake job offers have been saved from Thailand and neighboring countries. A flight operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) brought back 283 individuals yesterday, while a second flight is set to bring the remaining victims from Mae Sot, Thailand, today.
At least 42 of the rescued individuals are from the Telugu states, according to Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, who shared details about the repatriation process. These victims were reportedly trafficked into fraudulent call centers in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where they were forced to engage in cyber scams.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the victims were coerced into cybercrimes and fraudulent activities in scam centers operating near the Myanmar-Thailand border. Their rescue was facilitated by the Myanmar army, after which Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand coordinated their safe return with local authorities.
The victims were transported to Mae Sot city in Thailand before being flown back to Delhi.
Golden Triangle: A Cybercrime Hotspot
The Golden Triangle Region—where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar intersect—has become a hub for cyber fraud, with fake call centers exploiting job seekers from various countries, including India.
The Indian government has repeatedly warned citizens about these job scams and urged them to verify employment opportunities abroad through Indian embassies, registered recruiting agents, and legitimate companies before accepting any offers.
Past Crackdowns on Cybercrime Networks
In December last year, Hyderabad police arrested Kamran Haider alias Zaidi, a key suspect in such trafficking operations. He was accused of luring multiple Indians into cyber fraud schemes and was apprehended after an extensive 2,500-km search.
Authorities continue to monitor and crack down on such fraudulent networks, urging job seekers to stay vigilant against international job scams.