In a significant operation against cyber criminals, also known as online fraudsters, more than 3,000 individuals have been apprehended in Cambodia following raids conducted at 138 sites over a span of 15 days. Among those detained are 105 Indians and 606 women. The Indian Government is currently in discussions with Cambodian authorities to facilitate the return of the arrested individuals. As per reports, this action is a result of a high-level meeting that took place between India and Cambodia last month. Individuals from various nations, including India, are perpetrating cybercrimes while based in Cambodia, which has become a hub for cyber fraud. In addition to Indians, citizens from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia have also been taken into custody. The breakdown of the nationalities of the 3,075 individuals arrested is as follows:
- 1,028 Chinese citizens
- 693 Vietnamese
- 366 Indonesians
- 105 Indians
- 101 Bangladeshis
- 82 Thais
- 57 Koreans
- 81 Pakistanis
- 13 Nepalese
- 4 Malaysians
Citizens from the Philippines, Laos, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, Russia, and Myanmar have also been arrested. During the raids, various gadgets, including computers, laptops, and mobile phones, as well as drugs, counterfeit uniforms of Indian and Chinese police, drug processing equipment, weapons and ammunition, ecstasy powder, and other narcotics, were seized. The Indian Government has initiated the process to repatriate its citizens. According to the Home Ministry, stringent measures will be enforced against any Indian citizen involved in cyber fraud who seeks refuge in countries such as Cambodia.
