Tamil Nadu Youths Rescued from Myanmar Cyber Scam Ring and Russia-Ukraine War Zone
In a significant rescue operation, three young men from Tamil Nadu who were trapped in an illegal job racket in Myanmar have been safely repatriated to India. The successful intervention was coordinated by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, as confirmed by Trichy MP Durai Vaiko on Tuesday.
Details of the Myanmar Job Fraud Case
The three rescued individuals—Chithirai Selvakumar (20) from Tuticorin district, along with B Madanraj and B Naveenkumar from Virudhunagar district—were initially lured with promises of lucrative BPO employment in Southeast Asia. According to their testimonies, each victim lost approximately 6 lakh rupees in this elaborate fraud scheme.
Selvakumar, whose father works in salt pans, revealed that he responded to a social media advertisement that promised a monthly salary of 70,000 rupees despite his non-graduate status. "The agency seemed very cordial initially," he recounted. "But soon after we landed in Thailand, we were trafficked to Myanmar in different vehicles. We faced beatings, torture, and threats forcing us to participate in organized cyber scams."
How the Rescue Operation Unfolded
The victims were recruited during October-November 2025 by a Thanjavur-based agent who promised BPO jobs in Cambodia and Thailand. Instead, they were illegally confined at a Myanmar Border Guard Force (BGF) camp in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
"Through the direct intervention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and senior ministry officials, we managed to locate and rescue these youths in December 2025," MP Durai Vaiko explained. He emphasized that ransoms were paid to the illegal employers in Myanmar by the families to secure the men's release.
The MP issued a stern warning: "Youths must avoid travelling to Myanmar even for tourism purposes. There is an urgent need for greater awareness campaigns to prevent youngsters from falling victim to these fake job rackets abroad."
Parallel Rescue: Medical Student from Russia-Ukraine War Zone
In a related development, Durai Vaiko also confirmed the successful rescue of Kishore Saravanan, a medical student from Cuddalore who was studying in Russia. The youth had been forcibly enlisted in the Russia-Ukraine combat under distressing circumstances.
According to his family, Kishore was framed in a case and then persuaded to fight in the war as an alternative to facing punishments, with the additional promise of Russian citizenship.
"Two weeks ago, he was relieved from the combat zone," the MP stated. "While his family insisted on his immediate return to India, Kishore is determined to complete his medical education. He will be repatriated soon. Rescuing these young individuals brings us tremendous relief."
Broader Implications and Concerns
These incidents highlight several critical issues:
- The growing menace of international job fraud targeting Indian youth
- The sophisticated operations of cyber scam networks in conflict zones
- The vulnerability of students abroad to exploitation during geopolitical conflicts
- The crucial role of government intervention in such international crises
The rescue operations demonstrate the effectiveness of diplomatic channels in protecting Indian citizens abroad, while underscoring the need for enhanced public awareness about overseas employment risks.
