Image by Ahmani Vidal, from Istock Photos
Indian Embassy Rescues 47 Cyber Slaves From Dating Scam Operations
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
The Indian Embassy in Laos successfully rescued 47 Indian nationals who had been coerced into working as “cyber slaves” in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo Province. They were forced to participate in online scams targeting people in India, as announced today by the Indian Embassy.
Embassy of India successfully rescues 47 Indians trapped in cyberscam centres in Golden Triangle SEZ of Lao PDR. Detailed press release below: pic.twitter.com/Ap4BTJYP7c — India in Laos (@IndianEmbLaos) August 31, 2024
The Golden Triangle SEZ, located at the confluence of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, has become notorious for illegal activities, including cyber fraud. Indian nationals have increasingly been lured to this region with false promises of jobs, as reported by the Financial Express (FE).
Upon arrival, their passports are confiscated, trapping them in a foreign country with no means of escape. They are then compelled to operate in cyber scam centers, often impersonating as women on dating apps to deceive victims into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
Those who fail to meet daily targets often face harsh consequences, including deprivation of food and rest, as reported by NDTV .
This incident is part of a larger pattern of exploitation that the Indian government is actively working to combat. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently raised the issue of Indian nationals being trafficked into cyber slavery during a discussion with Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, said the FE.
In this latest rescue, 29 individuals were handed over to the embassy by Lao authorities following a crackdown on illegal activities in the Golden Triangle SEZ. Another 18 individuals sought help directly from the embassy, notes the FE.
Embassy officials traveled from Vientiane to Bokeo to coordinate with local authorities, ensuring the safe transfer of these prisoners to the capital.
Upon their arrival in Vientiane, the rescued nationals were provided with essential care, including accommodations and food. Indian Ambassador to Laos Prashant Agrawal personally met with the group to discuss their experiences and guide them through the process of returning to India, as reported by the FE.
The embassy has completed the necessary formalities with Lao authorities to facilitate their repatriation. As of now, 30 of the 47 rescued nationals have either returned to India or are in the process of doing so, with the remaining 17 awaiting final travel arrangements, said the FE.
The Embassy has issued a stern advisory to Indian nationals considering job opportunities in Laos, urging them to exercise caution and thoroughly verify offers to avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
The advisory, available on the Embassy’s official website, includes detailed guidelines and encourages individuals to reach out to the Embassy if they have any concerns about job offers.
Please see our updated Advisory below, regarding fake job racket targeting Indian youth. More details at https://t.co/YAPkjZaOEo . We are also working closely with concerned authorities for safety and rescue of Indian nationals who fall victim to such crime syndicates. pic.twitter.com/1JON5Fakhv — India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) June 3, 2024
Image by TSE, from Flickr
Supreme Court Orders X Suspension in Brazil
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
On Friday, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of X across the entire country. This decision followed the platform’s failure to comply with a previous court order, intensifying tensions between the Brazilian government and the social media giant.
According to local news outlet Poder360 , the dispute began when Musk refused to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a mandatory requirement for foreign companies operating within the nation.
In addition to suspending the platform, Moraes imposed a daily fine of R$50,000 (approximately USD 10,000) on anyone caught using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access X while the ban is in effect, as reported by Poder360.
VPNs, which allow users to bypass geographical restrictions by masking their location, are often used to evade censorship in countries with strict internet regulations. By penalizing VPN usage, the court seeks to prevent users from circumventing the suspension.
Moraes criticized the company stating that X has been contributing to “an environment of total impunity and lawlessness in Brazilian social networks, including during the 2024 local elections.”
“Extremist groups and digital militias” have been using X for “massive dissemination of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful and anti-democratic speeches,” adds Morales, as reported by Bloomberg .
Elon Musk responds to this decision stating in a post on X that ”Alexandre de Moraes is an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.”
Bloomberg also reports that Moraes took legal action against SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-internet service in Brazil, freezing its finances to recover $3 million in fines imposed on X.
The AP notes that in his ruling, Moraes stated that he ordered the freezing of Starlink’s assets because X did not have sufficient funds in its accounts to cover the accumulating fines. He justified the decision by noting that both companies belong to the same economic group.
To this, Starlink responded with a post on X stating that : “This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied — unconstitutionally — against X.”
Bloomberg further reports that Starlink announced plans to fight the order and potentially offer its services free of charge in Brazil.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Brazilian government will balance its efforts to regulate online platforms with the principles of free speech and open communication.
