Six Mangaluru residents trapped in ‘digital slavery’ rescued

The Mangaluru city police, with the help of Indian Embassy in Cambodia, have rescued six persons from Mangaluru who were trapped in ‘digital’ slavery in Cambodia for about six months.

Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy told reporters on Thursday, that a case was registered against a travel agent in Mangaluru for sending six youths (now rescued) to Nepal, from where they were taken to Cambodia. On the complaint by the victims, the case was registered at the Kankanady police station against the Mangaluru-based agent and also against an agent based abroad for offences of human trafficking and cheating.

Mr. Reddy said the six victims, who had completed their degree and PUC, fell prey to advertisements by agents about jobs abroad. Cyber criminals in Cambodia confiscated their documents and passports, and they were illegally confined in rooms by threatening detention by the government authorities in Cambodia for not having relevant documents. These youths, were among several youths, who were being forced by cyber criminals to call victims for investment and use them for ‘digital’ arrest.

One among six escaped from the room and called his parents. The police contacted the Indian Embassy and got the six back to Mangaluru a few days ago, Mr. Reddy said.

Asking youth to be more cautions while going abroad, Mr. Reddy said those going abroad for jobs should verify whether the agency is registered with the Protector of Emigrants. Only after proper verification, youth should proceed abroad, he said.