India police track Kerala nationals recruited for Cambodia cyber‑fraud

Kerala police are gathering data on Malayali men and women who have travelled to Cambodia as part of a crackdown on an international cyber‑fraud network. Investigators say a racket centred in Kochi recruited more than 150 young people to work at scam centres in Cambodia that are reportedly controlled by Chinese‑owned companies.

The recruits are lured with promises of well‑paid overseas jobs, only to become agents or operators of online fraud schemes. Police reports indicate that about half of the intended travelers are intercepted before reaching Cambodia and are later deported, while others remain in contact with their families but are threatened from disclosing details of the operation. Authorities are seeking to identify recruiters, operators and agents linked to the syndicate, with assistance from central agencies.

The effort aims both to dismantle the cross‑border fraud network and to provide help to any Indian citizens who may be trapped in the scam operations.