At least 47 Indian nationals trapped in Chinese-run cyber scam centres have been rescued from Laos's Bokeo province, the Indian embassy in Vientiane said. The embassy said that the rescued Indian nationals were trapped in cyber scam centres at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo.
"Of these, 29 were handed over to the Embassy by Laos authorities after their crackdown on illegal activities in Golden Triangle SEZ, while other 18 had approached the Embassy in distress, seeking help", the release reads. "Ambassador of India to Laos, met the group upon their arrival to discuss the challenges they faced and to advise further course of action".
The official statement further said that the embassy has undertaken and completed all procedural requirements of Laos authorities for their repatriation to India. "Of these 30 have already safely returned to India or are on their way, while the remaining 17 are only awaiting travel arrangements to be firmed up and would be leaving Laos soon", it said.
After the rescue of Indian nationals from Laos, envoy Agrawal emphasised that "ensuring the safety and well-being" of Indians was a matter of top priority for the Embassy.
The Indian embassy in Vientiane has so far rescued 635 Indians from the south Asian country and has thanked Laos authorities for their 'help and cooperation'.
The Indian mission has also urged the local authorities to take action at their end against 'unscrupulous elements' and has raised the matter at the highest level.
The embassy has cautioned Indian job-seekers planning to take up job offers in Laos to exercise 'utmost caution' and do due diligence thoroughly to avoid being duped, also advising them to carefully go through the detailed advisory available on the embassy's official website or contact it in case of any doubt.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar last month discussed the issue of human trafficking of Indian nationals with Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during his visit to Vientiane.
Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) cracked down on multiple locations in Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan on individuals/travel agents involved in the trafficking of vulnerable young people from India to the Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos.
The searches led to the seizure of incriminating materials including digital devices and documents etc. The targeted locations were premises associated with aides and offices of the key accused, Balwant alias Bobby Kataria.
