Indians Lose ₹1,000 Crore Monthly to Southeast Asia Cyber Frauds: Key Scam Types Explained

Southeast Asia Cyber Scams India Latest News

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) estimates that over half of the ₹7,000 crore lost to cyber scams in India from January to May 2025 originated from Southeast Asia. 
• Countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand are key sources, with scams often operated from high-security centres controlled by Chinese networks. 
• These centres reportedly use trafficked individuals, including Indians, as forced labour in running these fraud operations, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

Stock Trading and Investment Scams

• These scams promise high returns on stock market investments, cryptocurrency, or other financial products. 
• Victims are contacted through social media, WhatsApp, or fake investment apps.
• Scammers pose as financial advisors or representatives from trading firms. They convince people to deposit money in fake accounts or platforms showing fake profits. 
• Once a large amount is invested, the scammer disappears.

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Digital Arrest Scams

• In these scams, people are tricked into believing they are under investigation by government agencies like the CBI, Income Tax Department, or Police.
• Victims receive fake calls or video calls where scammers, often wearing uniforms, say the person’s identity or bank account is linked to crimes like money laundering or drugs. 
• They are threatened with arrest unless they pay a fine or security deposit immediately.

Task-Based and Investment-Based Scams

• These scams involve fake job offers or freelance work, where the victim is asked to complete small tasks and gets paid at first, building trust.
• The scam starts with simple tasks like liking YouTube videos or rating apps. Victims are paid small amounts at first. 
• Later, they are asked to invest money to get larger commissions. Once a big investment is made, the scammer vanishes.

Southeast Asia-Based Cyber Scams

• MHA has estimated that over half of ₹7,000 crore lost to cyber scams from January to May 2025 originated from networks based in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. 
• India faces an average monthly loss of ₹1,000 crore due to such scams, according to the I4C.
• Chinese-Controlled Scam Centres and Trafficked Workers
  • The scams are reportedly operated from high-security compounds controlled by Chinese operators, where trafficked individuals, including over 5,000 Indians, are forced to work. 
  • People from Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Europe, and the Americas have also been identified in these centres.
• Scam Hotspots
  • Through intelligence inputs and survivor testimonies, the Indian government has identified at least:
    • 45 scam centres in Cambodia
    • 5 in Laos
    • 1 in Myanmar
• Major Types of Cyber Frauds Identified
  • Investigations revealed three primary scam categories:
    • Stock trading and investment scams
    • Digital arrest scams
    • Task-based and investment-based scams
• Agents Recruiting Indians for Cyber Scam Work
  • The Indian government has tracked down several agents hiring Indians for these operations. 
  • These agents are from Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu; Jammu & Kashmir; Uttar Pradesh; Delhi.
• Human Trafficking Routes Traced
  • Rescued victims revealed various international travel routes used to traffic Indians to scam centres, including:
    • Dubai → China → Cambodia
    • Tamil Nadu → Cambodia
    • Maharashtra → Thailand → Cambodia
    • Delhi → Bangkok → Cambodia
    • Kerala → Singapore/Vietnam → Cambodia
    • Kolkata → Vietnam → Cambodia (by road)
• Government Response
  • The Centre formed an inter-ministerial panel, identifying loopholes in banking, immigration, and telecom systems. 
  • The CBI has registered FIRs against PoS agents for issuing ghost SIM cards linked to these scams.

Source: IE