Uttar Pradesh Man Rescued From Forced Labor in Cambodia
In a shocking case of modern-day exploitation, a 27-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh was rescued from cyber slavery in Cambodia and safely brought back to India. The victim, Rahul Sharma (name changed), was deceived by a fake job offer and subjected to forced labor, abuse, and psychological trauma. His rescue—coordinated by Indian and Cambodian authorities—exposes the alarming rise in human trafficking disguised as overseas employment.
How the Fake Job Scam Lured Rahul
Rahul’s nightmare began in early 2023 when he responded to a social media ad promising a high-paying customer support role in Cambodia. The recruiter guaranteed a monthly salary of ₹80,000, free housing, and other benefits. Desperate to support his family in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Rahul paid a ₹1.5 lakh “processing fee” and flew to Phnom Penh.
Upon arrival, he was taken to a Sihanoukville compound, a hub for illegal cybercrime operations. His passport was seized, and he was forced into 18-hour shifts running crypto scams targeting Westerners. “They threatened to sell me if I didn’t meet targets,” Rahul revealed.
Inside Cambodia’s Cyber Slavery Racket
Rahul’s case mirrors hundreds of others, with victims mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Many endure beatings, starvation, and electrocution for resisting or underperforming.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official stated: “These syndicates recruit via social media, forge contracts, and trap victims in scams like fake crypto schemes or online gambling.”
The Dramatic Rescue Mission
After Rahul secretly contacted his family, they alerted Ghaziabad police, who escalated the case to the Indian Embassy in Cambodia. In a late-April raid, Cambodian police and Indian officials rescued Rahul and 14 others from squalid conditions.
“Some victims had visible injuries from abuse,” said a Cambodian officer. Rahul was repatriated last week and is now receiving counseling and medical care. “I thought I’d die there,” he said.
How to Avoid Overseas Job Scams
Authorities warn job seekers to watch for:
1. Too-good-to-be-true salaries for low-skill jobs.
2. Upfront payment demands for visas or “processing.”
3. Vague employer details—always verify via MEA’s e-migrate portal.
The MEA is collaborating with Interpol and ASEAN nations to dismantle these networks.
A Global Crisis in Human Trafficking
Rahul’s story underscores how transnational crime rings exploit economic hardship. As digital fraud grows, stronger enforcement and public awareness are critical.
NextMinuteNews urges readers to verify job offers through official channels and report suspicious recruiters.
— Reported by [Your Name], NextMinuteNews
