“They Kept Us Hungry, We Weren’t Allowed to Call” : Rescued Bihari Youths Recall Myanmar, Thailand Ordeal
Patna : A group of ten young men from Bihar, who were rescued from Myanmar and Thailand after being forced into cyber fraud, arrived in Patna on Wednesday evening. They were brought back to India via Delhi and taken to the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) headquarters under tight security. Authorities confirmed that four more individuals from Bihar are also being repatriated, bringing the total number of rescued youths to 14.
Trapped by False Promises
Families of the victims revealed that they were taken to Thailand via Myanmar under the pretext of lucrative job opportunities. Once there, they were coerced into working for cyber fraud syndicates, deprived of food, and kept under constant surveillance. Communication with their families was strictly prohibited. Those who resisted faced further mistreatment, including starvation.
The victims’ families allege that the men were lured abroad by acquaintances who promised well-paying jobs. In one case, Mohammed Rizwan’s father, Mohammed Rahim, said his son was sent abroad on March 20 ,2024 by a recruiter from Turukaulia, Muzaffarpur. The recruiter, currently residing in Mumbai, allegedly charged Rs1.2 lakh in advance. However, Rizwan later discovered he had been sent on a tourist visa and was trapped.
Emotional Reunions and Unanswered Questions
The safe return of the victims was an emotional moment for their families. Tears welled up in the eyes of Rahim and Mohammed Mansoor as they reunited with their sons. Mansoor, a resident of Lilohal village in Samastipur, shared that his son, Mohammed Muallim, had been sent abroad by a broker from Fatehpur, where his in-laws live. Initially promised a stable job in Thailand, Muallim found himself ensnared in a web of deceit.
Rahim also shared that his son had been preparing for the sub-inspector’s examination in Patna before falling victim to the fraudulent scheme.
A Growing Crisis
The case highlights a disturbing trend of human trafficking networks exploiting job seekers from India, particularly from economically weaker states. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for sending these men abroad under false pretenses.
The rescued individuals are now undergoing questioning at the EOU headquarters, and authorities are working to assist them in reintegrating into their communities.
