Myanmar border guards suspected of protecting scam operations

A man from Hyderabad reported being tricked into a cybercrime operation in Myanmar. He filed a complaint with the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, claiming he was lured by a fake job offer for data entry. The victim, Shaik Hussain, is 25 years old and unemployed. He was recruited through an online interview on Telegram by agents from Karnataka and Uttarakhand. After receiving a flight ticket to Bangkok, he was guided to Mae Sot, Thailand. Once he crossed the Moei River to enter Myanmar, armed military personnel took him to a cybercrime center in Myawaddy. At the center, Hussain's passport was taken away, and he was forced to sign a work contract. When he refused, he was threatened and had to pay a ransom of 4,500 USDT to be freed. Hussain was made to work in a cryptocurrency scam, where he created fake social media accounts and tricked victims in the United States into investing money. His working conditions were harsh, with long hours and physical punishments for failing to meet targets. Hussain and others managed to contact the Indian Embassy for help. A rescue operation took place on February 23, 2025, and they were given the option to leave. Hussain and his cousin escaped to the embassy and returned to India on March 11, 2025. In his complaint, Hussain has asked for action against the recruiters who led him into this situation. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau is now investigating the network behind the trafficking and the involvement of a military group that may have protected these illegal activities.