Between January 2022 and May 2024, nearly 73,138 Indians traveled to countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam on visitor visas. Alarmingly, about 29,466 of these travelers have not returned home. Among those who are missing, a significant number—over half—are young adults aged 20 to 39 years. This situation has raised serious concerns, especially since reports have surfaced about some of these individuals being trapped in what’s being described as “cyber slavery.”
Who Are the Missing Travelers?
Most of the missing travelers are men, with 21,182 males among the unreturned. The states with the highest numbers of missing travelers are:
- Punjab: 3,667 individuals
- Maharashtra: 3,233 individuals
- Tamil Nadu: 3,124 individuals
Thailand is the primary country from which travelers have not returned, accounting for about 69% of the cases—around 20,450 people. This troubling trend has sparked a high-level investigation by the Indian government to get to the bottom of the issue.
Government Actions
In response to this crisis, the Indian government’s inter-ministerial panel, established to investigate these disappearances, has ordered all states and Union Territories to verify the status of these missing individuals. The Bureau of Immigration is working closely with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to gather detailed information about the missing travelers.
Earlier reports suggested that many Indians, particularly from Punjab, may be trapped in Cambodia, forced into committing cyber fraud. It’s estimated that Indian victims have lost around Rs 500 crore to scams originating from these regions.
How Did This Happen?
Many of those who are missing were lured to Southeast Asia under false pretenses. They were promised good-paying jobs, often in data entry or similar fields. However, upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were forced to work for companies that scammed people back in India. Victims reported being made to create fake social media accounts using stolen photos to lure unsuspecting victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Once the victims invested money, they were cut off, leaving them stranded.
The Age and Gender Breakdown
The data reveals that a significant portion of the missing individuals are young. Here’s a closer look at the age breakdown among the unreturned travelers:
- Aged 20-29: 8,777
- Aged 30-39: 8,338
- Aged 40-49: 4,819
- Aged 50-59: 2,436
- Aged 10-19: 1,896
- Children under 10: 1,543
- Aged 60 and above: 1,588
What’s Next?
The Indian government is taking this issue seriously. During a recent meeting, officials discussed ways to better identify and assist those who may be victims of “cyber slavery.” They are also implementing measures to prevent more people from becoming victims in the future.
The rise in cyber crimes, especially those targeting Indians, has been alarming, with about 45% of such crimes traced back to Southeast Asia. Since January 2023, there have been around 100,000 cyber crime complaints filed with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The disappearance of thousands of Indians in Southeast Asia is a growing concern, highlighting the risks faced by travelers lured by false promises. As the Indian government investigates, it serves as a wake-up call for travelers to be cautious and vigilant about job offers and opportunities abroad. Will more be done to protect those at risk? Only time will tell.
