Fri Aug 01 03:41:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A growing number of youths from Visakhapatnam are falling victim to job scams promising opportunities in Thailand, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Lured with promises of data entry and hospitality jobs, they are instead forced into cybercrime operations by organized syndicates. Victims are having their passports seized, transported to undisclosed locations, and subjected to violence if they refuse to participate in illegal activities. Families are pleading for government intervention to rescue their loved ones. Visakhapatnam police have rescued 87 victims, estimate that 150 people are still trapped, and are urging job seekers to rigorously verify the credentials of recruitment agencies to avoid falling prey to these scams.
**News Article:**
**Visakhapatnam Youths Ensnared in Thailand Cybercrime Job Scam: Families Plead for Rescue**
**Visakhapatnam, August 1, 2025 -** A disturbing trend of job scams luring young people from Visakhapatnam into forced cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia has prompted police warnings and desperate pleas from affected families. Several Visakhapatnam residents are reportedly stranded in Thailand, forced into illegal activities after responding to fake job offers promising data entry and hospitality work.
The issue came to light after victims secretly sent video messages to their families, detailing their ordeal. They describe being recruited by unknown agencies, having their passports confiscated upon arrival in Thailand, and being transported to undisclosed locations. Once there, they are forced into cybercrime operations, often facing violence for non-compliance. The syndicates run scams worldwide, including cryptocurrency schemes and online extortion.
“They were promised legitimate jobs, but instead, they’ve been thrust into a nightmare,” said West MLA P.G.V.R. Naidu (Gana Babu) who has been approached by the victims’ family for assistance.
Visakhapatnam police estimate that over 150 residents are currently trapped in these networks in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Bangkok. While 87 victims have been rescued in the past year, the problem persists.
Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi reiterated his warning to job seekers, urging them to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of recruitment agencies before accepting any offers. The city police have launched an awareness campaign, displaying posters throughout Visakhapatnam highlighting the dangers of Cambodia-based job scams.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about these scams or who may have been targeted to come forward. The focus remains on rescuing those stranded abroad and dismantling the criminal networks preying on vulnerable job seekers.
First Piper 