5,000 Indians in Cambodia stuck in cyber-slavery, MEA responds

Responding to local media reports that at least 5,000 Indians are stranded in Cambodia and are being forced to carry out cyber frauds back home, the Indian government has said that it has rescued 250 citizens in three months and working to facilitate the return of more.

The government estimates that the fraudsters have allegedly duped people in India of at least Rs 500 crore over the last six months.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement on Saturday said that the Indian mission in Cambodia is working closely with authorities to crack down on cyber slavery. Of the 250 Indians rescued, 75 were repatriated in the last three months.

"We have seen media reports on Indian nationals stuck in Cambodia. Our Embassy in Cambodia has been promptly responding to complaints from Indian nationals who were lured with employment opportunities to that country but were forced to undertake illegal cyber work," it said on Satuday.

"Collaborating closely with Cambodian authorities, it has rescued and repatriated about 250 Indians, of which 75 in just the last three months," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.

Several advisories have also been issued by the ministry and the Embassy of India in Cambodia to "our nationals about such scams", the statement said.

The MEA said that it issued the statement in response to media queries.

"We remain committed to helping all those Indian nationals in Cambodia who seek our support. We are also working with Cambodian authorities and with agencies in India to crack down on those responsible for these fraudulent schemes," Jaiswal said.

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