Uncovering Money Laundering and Dating Scams: Indians Trapped in Southeast Asia

New Delhi has been on a mission to identify Indian citizens who have fallen victim to money laundering and “dating scams” in various Southeast Asian countries. According to reports, thousands of Indians are currently trapped in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam, where they are coerced into illegal activities such as money laundering, cryptocurrency fraud, and love scams.

Indian immigration authorities have observed that a significant number of individuals traveling on visitor visas have not returned, indicating a disturbing trend. These individuals are often lured by scammers promising lucrative jobs, only to find themselves in a web of deceit with their passports seized.

Last year, the issue gained public attention when Odisha police cracked down on a cybercrime syndicate connected to Cambodia. The Indian government has since rescued hundreds of citizens and established a panel to address the systemic loopholes enabling these scams.

As efforts continue to identify and assist those trapped in Southeast Asia, telecom operators have been directed to block spoofed calls and share data on roaming Indian mobile numbers in key countries. The battle against cyber fraud and exploitation of Indian nationals abroad is ongoing, but New Delhi is determined to tackle the issue head-on.