A Single Click Turned Lives into a Nightmare: Four Indian IT Professionals Forced into Cybercrime in Myanmar

What began as a seemingly harmless job advertisement on social media soon turned into a living nightmare for four Indian IT professionals, who were lured abroad with promises of high-paying employment and later forced into cybercrime operations in Myanmar.

According to police and victim accounts, the scam originated from job advertisements on Instagram, offering lucrative data entry and IT-related roles overseas. Trusting the offer, the victims clicked on a link that redirected them to a Telegram group, where recruiters assured them of safe jobs, luxurious accommodation, and attractive salaries.

Winning Trust with Money and Promises

To gain credibility, the scammers first asked the victims to arrange passports. For those who lacked funds, the fraudsters transferred ₹10,000 into their bank accounts, creating a false sense of trust. After passport formalities were completed, the victims were sent flight tickets to Thailand, where they were initially accommodated in five-star hotels.

From Thailand to Myanmar: Trapped Across the Border

After several vehicle changes, the victims were covertly transported across the Thailand–Myanmar border and taken to a heavily guarded compound in a remote Myanmar town. There, they discovered that 400–500 Indian youths were already being held under similar circumstances.

Victims revealed that the operation was allegedly run by Chinese handlers, who confiscated passports and personal documents immediately upon arrival, eliminating any chance of escape.

Forced Cyber Fraud Operations

After nearly a month of training, the four professionals were coerced into conducting online financial scams. They were instructed to use AI-generated images of women on fake Facebook profiles to contact Indians living in the United States and Canada, persuading them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.

Each successful scam earned the group a commission of around three per cent, while refusal to work or failure to meet targets resulted in food deprivation, threats, and psychological abuse.

Ransom Demands and Dramatic Rescue

When the victims expressed their desire to return to India, the operators demanded ₹4–5 lakh per person for their release. Their ordeal came to an end only after a Myanmar military operation in the area, during which gunfire was heard and the handlers fled the site. Taking advantage of the chaos, the four men managed to escape and eventually return to India.

Police Warning and Ongoing Investigation

Following their return, the victims narrated their ordeal to Indian authorities. Multiple central and state agencies, along with cybercrime units, have launched a detailed investigation into the international human trafficking and cybercrime network.

Police have issued a strong advisory, warning youths and parents against trusting foreign job offers on social media platforms such as Instagram and Telegram. Citizens have been urged not to click on unknown links, avoid sharing passport details, and immediately report suspicious offers to the cybercrime helpline or nearest police station.