Image for representation only | Photo Credit: Reuters
The Indian Embassy in the Southeast Asian country Laos said on Saturday (August 31, 2024) that at least 47 Indians trapped in cyber scam centres have been rescued from the country’s Bokeo province.
Indian authorities are cautioning their citizens against fake job offers in Laos and urging them to exercise due diligence to avoid being scammed. The Indian mission has so far rescued 635 Indians from the country and ensured their safe return home.
A statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Laos said that in the latest case, the Embassy rescued 47 Indians trapped in cyber scam centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo province.
“29 of these individuals were handed over to the embassy by Lao authorities following a crackdown on illegal activities in the Golden Triangle SEZ, while the other 18 had sought help after being in distress,” the statement posted on X said.
It said embassy officials rushed to Bokeo from the capital Vientiane to liaise with local authorities for their rescue.
Indian Ambassador to Laos Prashant Agarwal met the group on their arrival and discussed the challenges faced by them and advised on the way forward, the statement said.
The statement said that the embassy has completed all the procedural requirements of the Laos authorities for their repatriation to India. 30 of them have already returned safely to India or are on their way, while the remaining 17 are only awaiting travel arrangements and they will leave the country soon, the statement said.
Mr Agarwal stressed that “ensuring the safety and well-being” of Indians was a matter of top priority for the embassy, the statement said.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, The issue of smuggling was discussed A large number of Indian nationals accompanied Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon during his visit to the Southeast Asian country last month.
The Indian Embassy in Laos last month rescued 13 Indians, who were duped by some cyber-fraud centres in the country, and sent them back home.
In Saturday’s statement, the Indian Embassy urged the Lao government to take action against unscrupulous elements.