The promise of a high-paying job abroad turned into a harrowing ordeal for a young man from Ashwaraopeta in Telangana, who was lured to Cambodia on a tourist visa and later forced into cybercrime activities.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat posed by fake overseas job advertisements targeting unemployed youth through social media platforms. According to police, the youth had travelled to Cambodia on a one-month tourist visa after being assured of lucrative employment. When he failed to return even after the visa expired, airport authorities became suspicious and alerted the Bhadradri Kothagudem district police. An inquiry revealed that the young man was stranded in a dangerous situation abroad.
The police traced his location and immediately shared the details with the Indian Embassy. Subsequent efforts by embassy officials uncovered that several youths from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including the Ashwaraopeta resident, had fallen victim to organised cybercrime gangs operating in Cambodia. With coordinated intervention, the embassy facilitated their rescue and ensured their safe return to their hometowns.
Police officials said the case is part of a wider pattern. Youth from Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters through misleading job advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. These scams typically promise salaries ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per month, along with free food and accommodation, enticing job seekers to travel abroad without proper verification.
As part of the modus operandi, agents insist that candidates travel on tourist visas instead of valid work permits, sometimes even arranging funds for travel. Once in countries like Cambodia or Thailand, victims reportedly have their passports confiscated and are taken to undisclosed locations, where they are coerced into carrying out cyber fraud. The gangs mainly target Telugu-speaking people in India, cheating them in the name of online investment schemes.
District police officials warned that working abroad on a tourist visa is illegal and exposes individuals to serious risks. They urged job seekers to verify whether overseas job consultancies are recognised by the government and to use the e-Migrate portal for foreign employment. Officials also advised candidates to authenticate job offer letters with the Indian Embassy in the destination country.
“If a job offer promises salaries far beyond your qualifications, it is a clear red flag,” said a police officer.
Bhadradri Kothagudem Superintendent of Police Rohit Raju appealed to the youth not to fall prey to such scams, saying, “Do not ruin your lives by believing the deceptive words of cybercriminals. Be cautious about job advertisements on social media and approach the appropriate authorities for verified information.” Authorities have urged families and job seekers to remain vigilant, stressing that awareness and caution are the most effective ways to avoid falling into such cybercrime traps.
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