47 Indian citizens who were trapped in cyber-scam centres at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo Province of Laos PDR were rescued, an official statement said on Saturday.
All procedural requirements for the repatriation of the freed citizens to India have been completed.
According to a statement by the Indian Embassy in Laos, a crackdown on illegal activities in Golden Triangle SEZ led to the release of 29 Indian citizens while the remaining 18 had reached out seeking help. "30 have already safely returned to India or are on their way, while the remaining 17 are only awaiting travel arrangements," the statement said.
Indian Embassy officials travelled from the capital city of Vientiane to Bokeo to coordinate with the local authorities to ensure the rescue of the citizens. They were brought back to Bokeo by transportation arranged by the Embassy. Prashant Agrawal, Ambassador of India to Lao PDR, met the group upon arrival.
Embassy of India successfully rescues 47 Indians trapped in cyberscam centres in Golden Triangle SEZ of Lao PDR. Detailed press release below: pic.twitter.com/Ap4BTJYP7c
— India in Laos (@IndianEmbLaos) August 31, 2024
According to the statement, the Embassy has so far rescued and sent home as many as 635 Indians trapped in similar scandals in Laos.
The Embassy advised Indians to exercise caution while accepting job offers in the Southeast Asian nation. "We strongly advise any Indian planning to take up any job offer in Lao PDR to exercise utmost care and caution, and do the due diligence thoroughly to avoid being duped. They may carefully go through the detailed Advisory available at Embassy's website at https://www.indianembassylaos.gov.in/ or contact the Embassy in case of any doubt," the statement said.
