In a major humanitarian and security effort, India on Thursday (November 6, 2025) repatriated 270 citizens, including 26 women, from Mae Sot town in Thailand. The individuals had reportedly escaped from cyber scam centres in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, a lawless border zone notorious for transnational fraud operations.
The rescue was coordinated by the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate in Chiang Mai, working closely with Thai authorities. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed two special flights to bring the stranded nationals home safely.
How did these Indians end up in Myanmar’s scam hubs?
These rescued citizens were detained by Thai officials for illegally crossing into Thailand after fleeing scam compounds in Myanmar. Most of them were lured by fake IT job offers, often circulated through social media and unauthorised recruiting agents. They recently crossed into Thailand from Myawaddy.
Once inside Myanmar’s KK Park and nearby enclaves, they were forced into online fraud operations, running scams under the control of organised criminal syndicates.
“Indian nationals are strongly advised to verify the credentials of foreign employers, and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before taking up a job offers overseas. Further, visa free entry into Thailand for Indian passport holders is meant for tourism and short business purposes only,” the Indian Embassy in Bangkok said.
Why are Myanmar’s Myawaddy and KK Park regions under global scrutiny?
The Myawaddy and KK Park zones, located along the Myanmar–Thailand border, have become hotspots for cybercrime since Myanmar’s internal conflict weakened central control. These enclaves host thousands of trafficked foreign workers, many from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines, who are coerced into online financial scams.
A recent military crackdown by Myanmar’s junta in the region has led to the detention and escape of several foreign nationals, prompting urgent repatriation missions by their home countries.
What is India doing to bring remaining citizens back?
The Indian Embassy in Bangkok and the Embassy in Yangon (Myanmar) have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to trace and repatriate more Indians still trapped in the region. Earlier, New Delhi had announced plans to bring back around 500 nationals stranded across Myanmar and Thailand.
Following the latest operation, Indian authorities have once again warned citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers. Officials reminded that visa-free entry to Thailand is meant only for tourism or short business trips, not for employment. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged job seekers to verify recruiters and employers through official government channels before accepting any foreign offer.
Over the past year, India, Thailand, and Myanmar have intensified cooperation against cyber scam syndicates that operate across Southeast Asia. International bodies, including the United Nations, estimate that tens of thousands of victims, mainly young IT professionals, remain trapped in forced cybercrime operations across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.