Cambodian police carried out large-scale raids, arresting individuals from more than a dozen countries.
In the largest global crackdown on cybercrime, Cambodian police have detained over 3,000 people associated with internet scams, 105 of whom are Indian nationals. The massive operation was initiated based on inputs from India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
The 15-day crackdown, which covered 138 locations across Cambodia, was part of a coordinated effort to dismantle organized cyber fraud networks operating within the country. Cambodian police carried out large-scale raids, arresting individuals from more than a dozen countries.
Moreover, individuals from other nations like the Philippines, Laos, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, Russia, and Myanmar were also arrested. Among the overall detainees, 606 are female.
During operations, Cambodian police confiscated a vast amount of equipment and materials that were employed in carrying out fake operations:
This massive seizure shows the extent and variety of illegal activities reportedly undertaken by the detained suspects.
The Indian government is in earnest efforts to collaborate with Cambodian authorities to enable the deportation of 105 Indian nationals. It is learned that an inter-senior-level meeting last month between officials from the two countries set the stage for the clampdown.
The authorities have revealed that Cambodia has become a key center for cybercrime gangs, most of which have been preying on Indian citizens through phishing, web-based scams, and job rackets.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs are keeping Cambodian authorities closely in touch with the assurance that all steps would be taken, including legal and diplomatic processes, for the deportation.
Indian authorities have made a stern warning, "Strict legal action will be initiated against any Indian citizen who indulges in cyber fraud or those going to Cambodia for indulging in such activity."
The crackdown reflects India's renewed vigor to shield its citizens from international cybercrime and punish those responsible, even overseas. International Growth Review.
