Indians trapped in fraudulent digital fraud hub in Myanmar seek immediate rescue, repatriation, claim extreme mental trauma

Lured by fake job offers, a group of people from India have been trapped in an alleged digital fraud center in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region for more than three weeks, where they are forced to carry out online fraud under brutal and inhumane conditions.

Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday (May 28, 2026), one member of the group sought immediate intervention from the Indian government for rescue and repatriation, adding that the vicious situation had left them with extreme mental trauma.

“We were recruited by agents based on false assurances of legal employment in construction and architectural work in Yangon, Myanmar, with promises of stable jobs, salary, accommodation and safe working conditions. Trusting these assurances, our group of three individuals traveled from India to Myanmar in the first week of May 2026,” said Mohammad Usman Ansari of Ushint District, a native of Padragaruna.

“However, upon reaching Myanmar, we were taken 700 km from Yangon, the place is surrounded by mountains and neighboring jungles and there is no human habitation. From day one, the situation turned highly exploitative and dangerous. Instead of the promised construction work, we were forced to carry out cyber fraud activities under duress,” said Anari.

“We are being forced to engage in fraudulent operations using certain mobile apps. A group of 25-30 people from China is controlling this area. Our movement and freedom are severely restricted. We are facing extreme psychological pressure, fear and dangerous living conditions. Suicidal tendencies are emerging daily as time passes. We demand immediate rescue intervention from the Indian government,” Mr. Ansari said. Mohammad Hasan Raza, another resident of Kushinagar and one Kumar Anuranjan of Sitamarhi district, Bihar are also jailed along with him.

The trio claimed that their passports were stolen by fraudsters and anti-social elements after they reached Myanmar, leaving them unable to return to India independently. They fear reprisals and further exploitation if they resist or try to escape, adding that some other Indians are likely to be in the same condition in the isolated area.

Mr. Ansari’s family members reached out to the Uttar Pradesh-based Madad Foundation, a human rights organization heavily involved in the protection of migrant workers and human trafficking, seeking urgent help. The founder of the foundation, Rajesh Mani, has written a letter to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Myanmar requesting the safety and rescue of these persons and to facilitate their safe and urgent repatriation to India.

“Three Indian nationals who are currently incarcerated in Myanmar under exploitative and fraudulent circumstances. Travel records and Myanmar visa approval documents shared by the family and individuals clearly indicate that the victims entered Myanmar through Yangon International Airport in May 2026 for alleged employment. However, the current status and interview with them indicate circumstances related to human trafficking, fraud, labor exploitation and possible human rights violations, coercion, violent crime, protection of migrant workers,” Mr. Mani’s May 19 letter to the Indian authorities said.

Mr. Mani demanded immediate consular access and protection to the affected Indian nationals, coordination with concerned Myanmar authorities for their safety and rescue, facilitation of their safe and urgent repatriation to India and necessary action against fraudulent recruitment and trafficking networks involved in the matter.

“This issue reflects the growing vulnerability of Indian migrant workers to fall victim to fraudulent overseas recruitment and organized cyber fraud trafficking networks operating in foreign countries,” he told The Hindu.

Responding to the organization’s outreach and petition on 21 May, the Indian Embassy in Yangon responded that the matter is being intensively pursued by the relevant Union, State and local authorities of Myanmar for the rescue and repatriation of Indian nationals.

“A request for the rescue and repatriation of Mr. Anuranjan Kumar, Mr. Usman Ansari and Mr. Hasan Raza has already been sent to the concerned authorities. The matter is being intensively followed up by the relevant Union, State and local authorities of Myanmar to expedite the rescue work,” read the reply from the Consular Section, Embassy of India, Yangon.

In its response, the embassy reiterated that job offers should not be accepted without proper verification through the relevant authorities. But despite assurances, the Indian citizen said nothing was happening at the site to give them hope of returning to India. “We are trapped and losing any hope of survival, suicidal tendencies are coming to us daily as time goes by,” said Mr. Ansari, a jailed Indian national hailing from UP.

Published – 29 May 2026 05:40 IST