Online fraud is a widespread issue, but the victims of these scams extend beyond the unsuspecting individuals who fall prey to them. Many of the callers orchestrating these phone scams are themselves victims, often caught in the web of larger human trafficking networks. This year, the Indian government has rescued 1,405 nationals trapped in slavery in Cambodia and Laos, two countries that have become significant hubs for human trafficking linked to internet fraud.

The Indian embassy has successfully rescued over 1,405 citizens who allegedly fell victim to these schemes after travelling to Cambodia in search of high-paying jobs, only to find themselves forced into committing cyber fraud on foreign soil. According to data from the embassy, 770 citizens have been rescued from Cambodia and 635 from Laos in the first nine months of the year.