Mumbai Survivors Plea for Help: 6 Indians Escape Hellish Cyber Scam Centres in Laos, Hundreds Still Trapped

Mumbai, India:  In a heart-wrenching tale of deception and torture, six Mumbai-based individuals who escaped from a Chinese-run cyber scam centre in Laos are urging Indian authorities to act swiftly to rescue around 200-300 more still trapped under horrific conditions.

The victims, who returned to Mumbai after spending nearly two years in the country, were lured by promises of lucrative job offers, but found themselves forced into scam operations where they were subjected to exploitation, sexual harassment, and severe abuse. Among them was Salman Khan, a 24-year-old Ghatkopar resident, who described how he was promised a regular computer job in Thailand but ended up making fraudulent calls, impersonating others, and stealing personal banking information. "If we failed to meet the targets, we were locked in rooms with no food or water," he shared.

Many victims were also forced into sex slavery, and some endured extortion, with family members coerced into paying huge ransoms. "My family paid over Rs 12 lakh," said one survivor, Vijay Kumar Chaurisya, whose family was extorted by Naziya, the woman who lured them into the trap. Victims were subjected to AI software on computers that changed their voices for the deceitful calls, and some members of the syndicate were found to be Indian nationals working under Chinese leadership.

While an NCP leader has approached Mumbai police, an FIR has yet to be filed. The survivors are now calling on the government and the Indian embassy to rescue the many still trapped in Laos, and to seek justice for the exploited victims.

In August of last year, 47 Indian citizens were successfully brought back from similar circumstances in Bokeo, Laos. However, the situation remains dire, and urgent action is required to help the others caught in these dangerous networks.