Repatriation of Four Indian Nationals from Myanmar's Cyber Scam Networks

Synopsis

Four Indian nationals were repatriated from Myanmar after coordination between India and Myanmar authorities facilitated their exit from Myawaddy. The Indian Embassy in Yangon warned against fraudulent job offers and illegal border crossings in the region.

Key Takeaways

Four Indian nationals repatriated from Myawaddy.
Cooperation between India and Myanmar authorities.
Warning against fraudulent job offers.
32 Indian nationals repatriated last week.
Government efforts to combat cyber scams.

Yangon, April 18 (NationPress) Four Indian nationals were successfully repatriated through Yangon after India worked closely with Myanmar authorities to secure their exit permits from the Myawaddy compound, as announced by the Embassy of India in Yangon on Friday.

The individuals had fallen victim to cyber-scam networks located in the Myawaddy area, near the Myanmar-Thailand border, and were recently transported from Hpa-An to Yangon by the Myanmar authorities.

“We facilitated the exit permits from Myawaddy compounds and ensured their repatriation through Yangon yesterday. We strongly caution against accepting such job offers and entering or exiting without proper border immigration in Myanmar/Thailand, as this may hinder future travel,” stated the Embassy of India in Yangon on Friday.

Just last week, 32 Indian nationals, who were also victims of the Myawaddy scam compounds, were repatriated through Mae Sot in the Myanmar-Thailand border region.

The Embassy of India in Yangon reiterated its warning against such job offers and highlighted that entry or exit without border immigration in Myanmar/Thailand is unlawful and could result in future entry restrictions.

“The Government of India has been actively working to ensure the release and repatriation of Indian nationals who have been deceived into traveling to various South East Asian countries, including Myanmar, by fraudulent job offers. These individuals were often coerced into participating in cybercrime and other illicit activities within scam centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported.

Earlier in March, Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand collaborated with local authorities to repatriate 283 Indian nationals via an IAF aircraft from Mae Sot in Thailand.

“The Government of India would like to reiterate its warnings, which have been communicated previously through advisories and social media, regarding these scams. Indian nationals are urged to verify the credentials of foreign employers through official Missions abroad and to scrutinize the backgrounds of recruiting agents and companies before accepting job offers,” the MEA cautioned.

This month, during a meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Myanmar in rescuing and repatriating Indian nationals from cyber-scam centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Both parties have also agreed on the necessity for collaboration to tackle insurgent activities, transnational crimes, and human trafficking along the India-Myanmar border.