Tragic Death of Coimbatore Man After Rescue from Cyber Slavery in Cambodia
Coimbatore: In a heartbreaking incident, D Nandakumar, a resident of LIC Colony in Selvapuram, Coimbatore, died in a Cambodian hospital on December 17, 2025. His death occurred just hours after officials from the Indian embassy successfully rescued him from cyber fraudsters who had held him captive for refusing to participate in their illegal operations.
Forced into Fraud and Brutal Confinement
Nandakumar had previously worked at a hotel in Cambodia for about a year. However, in November 2025, he was coerced by cyber criminals to join a call center involved in fraudulent activities. When he resisted taking part in the scams, the perpetrators confiscated his passport, locked him in a room, and denied him food. After falling gravely ill, he managed to contact his mother, Geetha, by phone. She immediately alerted the Indian embassy, which coordinated his rescue. Despite these efforts, Nandakumar succumbed to his condition in the hospital.
Other Victims Share Harrowing Ordeals
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old from Vadavalli, Coimbatore, was more fortunate, having been rescued from a similar situation in Thailand. He traveled to Thailand on a tourist visa through an agent who promised a work permit upon arrival. Instead, he was taken to a secured complex where his passport and money were seized, and he was forced into cyber fraud. "If we do not complete the targets, they will lock us in a room and beat us. The pain is unbearable," he recounted. With help from his parents, cybercrime police, and the Indian embassy, he was rescued.
Another victim rescued from Cambodia described how some individuals knowingly enter such situations, while many are forced into fraudulent work. "I was there for six months and could not complete the tasks they gave me. They beat me and demanded money for not completing the work," he said, adding that his parents paid a ransom to secure his release.
Alarming Statistics from Coimbatore Police
According to city police, 136 people from Coimbatore have traveled to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar—known cyber slavery hotspots—without legitimate job offers. More than 50 of them are suspected victims of cyber slavery, with 10 having been rescued so far.
A cybercrime department official explained that the trap often starts with enticing social media messages or agents offering high salaries, free accommodation, and easy office jobs. "Victims are lured with the promise of a better life and usually travel on tourist visas, believing work permits will be arranged after arrival. Instead, they are taken to guarded compounds, often in remote border areas, where their passports are seized. They are then forced, under threats of violence, to run online scams targeting people around the world," the official stated.
Police Focus on Awareness and Action
Dr. N Kannan, the city police commissioner, emphasized that they are intensifying awareness programs to educate the public. "Many are unknowingly getting trapped in cyber slavery. And some submit themselves to it voluntarily. We are collecting information about the people who traveled on tourist visas and are staying there after the expiry of visas. Strict action will be taken against the agents sending people abroad without proper work permits," he said.
Expert Advice for Safe Migration
R Nanda Gopal, director of Nexfly Immigration Consultancy near Nava India in Coimbatore, advised caution. "We do not prefer to send our clients to red-flagged countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar. We usually verify the background of the company offering the job. Those planning to go abroad for work should check whether the agency is GST-registered and ask for the contact details of people previously sent by them. If there are changes in the nature of the work or salary offered, candidates should be cautious. They should always ask for a job permit before leaving the country," he recommended.
