Tortured in Myanmar Cyber Scam: 22-Year-Old Indian Youth's Harrowing Ordeal and Hope for Freedom

Ajay, a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, had left India eight months ago with the promise of a call centre job in Malaysia. He ended up trapped in a cyber fraud centre at JPark, Myanmar, where he has been subjected to extreme abuse.

By Gaurav Santosh Updated: Dec 8, 2024, 10:34 IST

Relatives of a 22-year-old Indian youth, Ajay, who has been hospitalized after brutal torture in a Myanmar cyber fraud centre, have reported. Ajay, a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, had left India eight months ago with the promise of a call centre job in Malaysia. He ended up trapped in a cyber fraud centre at JPark, Myanmar, where he has been subjected to extreme abuse.

Ajay's relative, Ram Janam, revealed the harrowing details of his condition. "Ajay was kept in a dark room, beaten until his body turned blue, and even given electric shocks," said Ram Janam. "His health has severely deteriorated, and he cannot even speak." The young man is one of six Indians still held captive in the notorious cyber scam centre, located near Myanmar's border with Thailand.

Ajay's story is not a one-off. His counterparts, Sagar and Rahul, who have also undergone similar torture, were also able to return to India safely. Rahul, who has been back in India since September after being diagnosed with dengue, described the dire conditions at the detention center. "Ajay is being tortured, locked in a dark room, given electric shocks, and denied food," Rahul said. "We hope he returns safely."

Reportedly, the illegal call centres are operated by Chinese nationals with the assistance of locals who are Myanmarese people. It is reportedly trying to bring back Ajay and five other men stranded in the cyber fraud center. But Ajay's family cannot afford the ransom demanded for his release. The parents are anxiously awaiting their son's return without knowing all the torture he has gone through.

The distressing case highlights the growing issue of cyber fraud in Southeast Asia, where young people, often from India, are lured into fraudulent job offers. While Ajay's situation remains dire, the Indian government has identified the six youths and is working tirelessly to bring them home. Meanwhile, Ajay’s relatives hold on to hope, praying for his safe return.