India is grappling with an unprecedented surge in cyber frauds originating from Southeast Asia, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) estimating monthly losses of approximately $120 million (Rs 1,000 crore). Analysis by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reveals that over half of the $845 million (Rs 7,000 crore) lost to online scams between January and May 2025 can be traced back to criminal networks in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
How the Scams Operate?
These scams are often orchestrated from high-security compounds, reportedly controlled by Chinese operators, where trafficked individuals—including Indians—are forced to work under duress. The I4C’s Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) has tracked monthly losses as follows:
- January: $144 million (Rs 1,192 crore)
- February: $115 million (Rs 951 crore)
- March: $120 million (Rs 1,000 crore)
- April: $88 million (Rs 731 crore)
- May: $120 million (Rs 999 crore)
Types of Cybercrime
The probe identified three major types of cybercrime frauds targeting Indians from Southeast Asia:
- Stock trading/investment scams
- Digital arrest scams
- Task-based and investment-based scams
- International Cooperation and Crackdown
Recent meetings between Indian and Cambodian officials in New Delhi focused on pinpointing scam locations in Cambodia. Cambodian authorities requested specific geographical coordinates of scam centers to facilitate targeted action. Intelligence and testimonies from rescued victims have helped India identify at least 45 scam compounds in Cambodia, five in Laos, and one in Myanmar. These compounds are not limited to Indians; victims from Africa, East Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the Americas have also been identified.
Recruitment and Trafficking Networks
The Indian government has tracked several agents actively recruiting Indians for these cybercrime operations. The highest numbers of such agents operate from:
- Maharashtra: 59 agents
- Tamil Nadu: 51
- Jammu and Kashmir: 46
- Uttar Pradesh: 41
- Delhi: 38
Agents are primarily sending people to Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Routes include travel via Dubai, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Bangkok, with agents exploiting various cities across India as departure points.
Scale and Impact of the Crisis
Previously reported cases were more than 5,000 Indians are suspected to be trapped in Cambodia, allegedly held against their will and forced to perpetrate cyber frauds. Government estimates indicate that at least $60 million (Rs 500 crore) was lost in the six months before March 2025 alone, prompting the formation of an inter-ministerial panel to identify systemic loopholes.
Systemic Vulnerabilities
The panel found significant gaps in India’s banking, immigration, and telecom sectors, which are being exploited by cybercriminals. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered FIRs against point-of-sale agents for issuing ghost SIM cards used in these scams.
Broader Cybercrime Threat
The threat is not isolated to India. According to industry reports, cyber fraud in Asia is evolving rapidly, with losses in the region running into hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
In India, cybercrime losses are projected to reach $2.4 billion (Rs 20,000 crore) in 2025, with brand impersonation, phishing, and fake apps driving the surge. The banking, e-commerce, and government sectors are expected to bear the brunt of these attacks.
