Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 29: Five youths from Mangaluru who had been trapped as hostages in Cambodia after falling into the clutches of cyber fraudsters have been rescued and brought back to India, following sustained efforts by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta.
The youths had gone to Cambodia in search of employment but were caught in a cybercrime racket and subjected to severe hardship for several months. Owing to continuous intervention by the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a total of 37 Indian nationals, including the five from Dakshina Kannada district, returned safely to the country on January 27.
Sources said that Capt Brijesh Chowta had been in constant touch with the ministry of external affairs and Cambodian diplomatic authorities for several months, taking up the matter seriously to ensure the safe return of the five youths from his constituency.
Expressing satisfaction over the successful rescue, Capt Brijesh Chowta said it was a matter of great relief that the five youths from the district, who had been trapped as bonded labourers in a cyber fraud network in Cambodia, were brought back safely. He noted that rescuing them through diplomatic channels was not an easy task, but the central government took the issue seriously and extended full cooperation through the ministry of external affairs to bring back all 37 affected Indians.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and officials of the ministry of external affairs for their timely intervention and support. The MP also cautioned youngsters against falling prey to fake overseas job offers and urged them to remain vigilant while dealing with unauthorised consultancies.
Background
The five youths from Mangaluru had gone abroad through a consultancy after being promised a data entry job with a monthly salary of Rs 1 lac. However, they were taken to Cambodia and forced to engage in cybercrime activities. When they refused to participate in illegal acts, they were allegedly subjected to electric shocks and physical and mental torture.
After the victims managed to alert Capt Brijesh Chowta about their plight, he immediately contacted the Indian embassy and pursued the matter through continuous follow-up. As a result, a total of 37 youths from different states, who were being held under similar conditions, were rescued and brought back to India.