Srinagar, March 13 – Thirteen youths from Jammu and Kashmir, who fell victim to an international cyber-fraud job scam and were trafficked to Myanmar, have been successfully rescued, police officials said on Wednesday.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Counter Intelligence Kashmir, Tahir Ashraf, the victims were deceived by fraudulent job offers posted on social media, particularly Facebook, which promised lucrative data entry positions abroad, primarily in Thailand.
“These educated young individuals were searching for employment online when they came across advertisements offering high-paying jobs. After applying, they were interviewed online and provided travel tickets. Some were sent by the fraudsters, while others were instructed to arrange their own travel,” SSP Ashraf said.
However, upon reaching Thailand, the youths realized they had been duped and were subsequently trafficked to Myanmar.
Upon receiving intelligence about their predicament, the Counter Intelligence Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched an immediate rescue operation. “We acted swiftly, and all 13 individuals have been safely brought back with full security,” Ashraf confirmed.
The rescued youths are currently undergoing counseling and debriefing. Authorities have urged job seekers to exercise caution while responding to online employment opportunities and to verify the authenticity of recruiters before making any commitments.
The Chenab Times News Desk