Hyderabad: At least 526 Indians, including 28 women, are set to be rescued from Myanmar’s Myawaddy region and repatriated to India. They are among thousands of foreigners trapped in cyber scam centres operated from compounds such as KK Park, near the Thailand-Myanmar border, mostly run by Chinese gangs.
Sources in the Union ministry of external affairs (MEA) confirmed that 7,141 foreigners are being repatriated to their home countries through Thailand.
Among them, 4,860 are Chinese, followed by 572 Vietnamese, 526 Indians, 430 Ethiopians, 283 Indonesians, 70 Malaysians and 68 Pakistanis. The victims, brought to these centres under false pretences, were forced into fraudulent cyber activities as part of large-scale “pig butchering” scams.
The repatriation process involves individuals from 29 countries currently being assisted. People from 66 countries work in these centres. The operations are reportedly conducted with protection from Border Guard Force (BGF), which has supported the Myanmar military in restive Karen state.
A rescued individual, Kokkirala Madhukar Reddy, shared his experience over the phone with TOI: “After rescue, we are still stuck at the Thailand-Myanmar border. They have to take us to Bangkok. We are waiting for help.”
While Indian authorities in Myanmar and Thailand are working on the rescue mission, estimates suggest that around 2,000 Indians are present in scam centres across Myanmar. However, only 526 have agreed to leave; others appear to be staying voluntarily.
Several agents involved in recruiting individuals for these operations are also refusing to return. One such agent, Rajashekaram Sham Rao from Dharmapuri in Nizamabad, is reportedly facing cases in India.
Speaking over the phone, Rajashekaram said: “I am also a victim. I only acted as a tele-caller and guided Telangana youths to come to Myanmar. I am not going to come back to India. Even my brother Arun is not coming. We have financial issues back at home and are also facing a case.”
The rescue and repatriation efforts continue as diplomatic channels coordinate the safe return of those willing to leave. Indian authorities said they remain engaged in negotiations to assist more nationals in returning home.