Copyright thehindu
Twelve Telangana residents are set to return to Hyderabad after being rescued from a cyber scam hub in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, as part of India’s ongoing repatriation of citizens trapped in cybercrime operations across Southeast Asia. The twelve are among the 270 Indians who were flown back to India on Thursday from Thailand in a military aircraft as part of first phase of the repatriation. They had fled Myanmar’s conflict-torn border region following a military crackdown on the KK Park cybercrime hub, where hundreds of Indians had been ‘forced’ to work in online scam operations. Officials from the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) confirmed that travel arrangements are underway to bring the group to Hyderabad from Delhi, where they are currently being accommodated at the Telangana Bhavan. Three Telangana police officials have reached the national capital to assist with documentation, language support and travel coordination. “We are verifying their records and ensuring their safe travel back to Hyderabad. The individuals will be accompanied by our officials during the journey,” said an officer from the TGCSB. The official added that depending on logistics, the group will return either by air or train, with security personnel deployed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) and major railway stations for their arrival. The repatriation follows a major operation led by the Myanmar military against cybercrime syndicates in Myawaddy township. The KK Park compound, a notorious hub for global online scams, employed hundreds of foreign nationals who were lured through fake job offers promising lucrative IT positions. After the crackdown, many fled to Thailand, where they were taken into Indian custody for verification and return. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been coordinating large-scale efforts to rescue Indians trapped in such compounds. Earlier this year, on March 10, the Indian Air Force airlifted 283 citizens deceived by fake job agents in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. The Indian Embassy in Myanmar said over 1,600 nationals have been repatriated since July 2022, with further cases being pursued. In Telangana, the police are expected to question the returnees to determine the extent of their involvement in the cyber operations. Officials said many had been recruited through fraudulent employment networks that offered high-paying technology jobs abroad. Authorities have reiterated their warning to job-seekers not to accept overseas offers without verifying the credentials of employers through Indian embassies in the region. The Embassy of India in Myanmar continues to receive complaints through its helpline (+95-95419602), while further repatriation efforts are planned in the coming weeks for those still stranded in Myanmar.
