Cyber Frauds in India: A New Threat from Southeast Asia
In a startling development, financial cyber frauds in India are no longer limited to the known hotspots of Jamtara and Mewat. Instead, criminal activities originating from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos are now responsible for 46% of the defrauded money, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and state enforcement agencies.
Shocking Statistics
Over the past year, more than 360 Indians have been rescued from these illegal units in Southeast Asia, with 60 more due to return from Cambodia imminently. A staggering amount of Rs 1,872 crore was lost between January and April this year due to various types of scams originating from the region.
- Investment scams: Over 1 lakh reported last year
- Trading scams: Not specified in the article
- Digital arrest scams: Not specified in the article
- Romance/dating scams: Not specified in the article
The Indian national cybercrime reporting portal reported over 10,000 First Information Reports (FIRs) related to these scams in 2021.
The Source of Cybercrimes: Southeast Asia
The I4C chief revealed that a large number of Chinese individuals are known to work in these scam hubs, with many of the suspected apps used for defrauding people being in the Chinese language. An increase in big-ticket frauds reported in 2024 resulted in over six lakh complaints worth Rs 7,061 crore on the national cybercrime reporting portal.
Prevalence of Scams in India
Individuals lured to organized cybercrime factories in Southeast Asia with fake job offers are fueling cyber frauds in India. These gangs often target unsuspecting victims through social media advertisements, promises of quick financial gains, digital arrest scams, or romance/dating scams.
According to Kumar, “These gangs work in an organized manner, from scam compounds… many of them were linked to casinos earlier.”
Laundering the Illicit Gains
The illicit gains from these cybercrime activities originating in Southeast Asia are laundered through sophisticated financial channels, including Indian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and cash withdrawals.
Fighting Back Against Transnational Organized Cybercrime
The Indian government has taken serious steps to combat the surge in transnational organized cybercrimes targeting Indians from Southeast Asian countries. Recently, an inter-ministerial committee was established to address this issue, with various law enforcement and intelligence agencies collaborating to ensure the safety and security of Indian citizens.
- Arrests and rescues by Visakhapatnam cybercrime police
- Collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs
Conclusion
As shown in this article, the threat of financial cyber fraud from Southeast Asian countries is a significant concern for Indians. The Indian government is actively working to combat these transnational organized cybercrimes and ensure the safety and security of its citizens. However, awareness and education remain crucial in preventing individuals from falling victim to these scams.