Phnom Penh/New Delhi, May 24 (Representative) The Indian Embassy in Cambodia repatriated a group of 60 Indian nationals who were rescued from scam centres in Sihanoukville by Cambodian authorities, following a rescue operation conducted on May 20. The Indian Embassy posted on X: ”Always committed to helping Indians abroad. “First batch of 60 Indian nationals rescued by Indian Embassy in Cambodia from fraudulent employers return home. Thank the Cambodian authorities for their support.” This initiative follows a significant rescue operation conducted on May 20, said the Embassy in a statement released on Wednesday. “Cambodian authorities have informed us that around 60 Indian nationals have been sent from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh today so that they can be sent back to India with the Embassy’s assistance for travel documents,” the Indian Embassy’s statement reads. “The Embassy is in constant touch with the Cambodian authorities, and necessary assistance and guidance are being provided to these Indian nationals on their way back to India.”
It added that to facilitate this process, the Embassy has deployed a team of officials to Sihanoukville, providing on-the-ground support to the evacuated nationals, and is also maintaining constant communication with Cambodian authorities to provide necessary guidance and support to these individuals on their journey back to India, the Khmer Times reported. “The Embassy has been issuing several advisories to alert Indians seeking jobs in Cambodia, cautioning them not to fall prey to unauthorised agents. Indian nationals have been cautioned not to indulge in practices contrary to the purpose for which the visa is granted by the host government, such as seeking employment on a “tourist visa”. They have also been advised not to undertake illegal cybercrimes and to reach out to the Embassy and Cambodian hotline numbers,” the Embassy added. “The Government of India and Embassy of India remain committed to extending all possible help to Indian nationals who are trapped in scam centres through unscrupulous elements. As of now, over 360 Indian nationals have been rescued or repatriated to India through the mission’s intervention.”
Indian nationals in need of assistance or facing difficulties are encouraged to contact the Embassy through the emergency contact number +855 92881676 or via email at [email protected] and [email protected]. Additionally, a temporary control centre has been established in Sihanoukville, operational from May 21 to May 23, 2024, and can be reached at +855 10642777. Permanent Vice-Chairwoman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, Chou Bun Eng has consistently asked foreign governments and authorities to work with Cambodian authorities in cracking down on human trafficking, which in recent years has been a heated issue in the Kingdom with the rise in cases involving online job scams.