The Embassy of India in Laos has rescued 67 Indian youth from cyber-scam centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, GTSEZ. The Embassy said in a statement today that these youth were forced to work there under intimidation and abuse by criminal syndicates operating in GTSEZ. Embassy officials responded promptly and extended all necessary assistance immediately upon receiving their requests for help. A team of Embassy officials travelled to GTSEZ at once and worked closely with concerned Lao authorities to achieve required procedures and paperwork to enable them to leave GTSEZ and travel to the Embassy in Vientiane. Their transport from Bokeo to Vientiane was also facilitated. Arrangements for their accommodation and food have been made by the Embassy.
Ambassador of India to Laos, Prashant Agrawal met with all of them to discuss the challenges they faced. He assured them of their safety and the Embassy’s full support as a matter of highest priority for their safe return to India. He also advised them about further courses of action, including the need for them to lodge complaints against the agents who had duped them.
Our correspondent reports that the Embassy has so far rescued 924 Indians, of which 857 have already safely returned to India.