A 21-year-old college student from Gurgaon narrowly escaped a nightmare after being trafficked to one of Myanmar's most notorious cybercrime hubs under the false promise of a legitimate data entry job in Thailand.
The Tempting Job Offer That Turned Deadly
Rupesh (name changed), a second-year student at a government college in Gurgaon, had casually mentioned to his brother's friend Yogesh in late September that he was looking for employment opportunities. "Job ho to batana" (let me know if there's a job) was his simple request, little knowing it would lead him into an international human trafficking ring.
Within days, Yogesh connected him with Sandeep, who operated under the pseudonym "Lucas" on Telegram. Sandeep's profile picture featuring a black BMW on foreign soil projected an image of success and wealth. He offered Rupesh a data entry position in Thailand with an attractive salary of 30,000 Thai Baht (approximately Rs 80,000).
Despite coming from a farming family that urged him to complete his studies, Rupesh's eagerness to work overcame his caution. "There was no pressure at home. I just wanted to work," he recalled about his decision to pursue the overseas opportunity.
The Dangerous Journey to Cyber Slavery
After paying Rs 20,000 for his flight ticket, Rupesh departed for Bangkok on October 14. What followed was a carefully orchestrated trafficking operation. Sandeep arranged for his pickup in the Thai capital, and the next morning, Rupesh found himself traveling with two other Indians—one from Rajasthan and another from Andhra Pradesh.
Their passports were photographed, and the group embarked on what was supposed to be a "smooth route" but turned into an arduous journey through dense jungles and muddy, makeshift paths. "We went through dense jungles, changing at least 10-15 vehicles. One night, we were made to sleep in a hut inside the jungle itself," Rupesh described the harrowing experience.
On October 18, they were ferried across the Moei River, crossing illegally from Thailand into Myanmar. It was at this point that the true nature of their "employment" became terrifyingly clear.
Life Inside Myanmar's Notorious KK Park
Rupesh found himself inside the infamous KK Park—a fortress-like compound operated by Chinese handlers and local militia. The facility, which houses at least eight separate scam centers, contained highrises, clubs, restaurants, and even operated a sex trade.
Inside what appeared to be corporate office buildings similar to Gurgaon's Cyber City, Rupesh discovered the grim reality. "On my floor alone, I saw 20-25 Indians working to cheat people online," he revealed. The operation involved training recruits to pose as women and scam US citizens through online platforms.
The control exerted over the workers was absolute and brutal. "Those addicted to drugs were supplied freely to ensure productivity. Anyone who tried to escape would face a shoot-at-sight order," Rupesh stated, highlighting the extreme measures used to maintain control.
The Cost of Freedom and Ongoing Investigations
When Rupesh refused to participate in the cyber fraud operations, his handlers demanded $4,000 for his release. His desperate family back in India borrowed Rs 3.9 lakh at 5% interest to secure his freedom.
Police investigations have revealed that the trafficking network operates with meticulous efficiency. The city police recently arrested four agents, including Sandeep, for recruiting and trafficking Indians into Myanmar's cybercrime dens. According to officers, brothers Sandeep and Mukul from Hisar were deported to India on November 10 and have provided crucial information during questioning.
An officer explained the recruitment chain: "Every scammer signs a bond for communication and scamming, using Telegram IDs and Binance for cryptocurrency transactions. Agents and recruiters use pseudonyms, while their Chinese handlers remain in the shadows. The entire recruitment chain is run by Indians, with networks in almost every state."
The training provided to recruits is intensive and manipulative. "The scamsters are given two months of training—learning texting, typing and seduction techniques. Every successful victim, every longer chat, every bigger investment brings incentives for the scamsters," the officer added.
Recruits faced strict daily targets of trapping three to four "customers" and were subjected to fines for minor infractions like taking too many water breaks or arriving late. While the promised salary was 30,000 Baht, these deductions could reduce actual earnings to just 12,000 Baht.
Rupesh, who returned to India on November 18 after being handed over to authorities for deportation, reflected on his narrow escape: "Asking my elder brother's friend for a job could have cost me my life. I was fortunate to escape before getting trapped." Tragically, the two Indians who traveled with him were taken deeper into the compound, their fates remaining unknown.
