Sri Lankans continue to fall prey to a human trafficking network in Myanmar, with harrowing accounts emerging of individuals forced into cyber slavery by a notorious terror group.
Reports from Myanmar indicate an alarming escalation in the human trafficking operations targeting Sri Lankans, as more individuals are ensnared in a cyber slavery racket orchestrated by a notorious terror group, according to a chilling testimony provided by a victim.
The victim, a young man who had experienced captivity firsthand, disclosed that another Sri Lankan national had recently been coerced into the cyber slavery camp, while up to 15 additional Sri Lankans, including two females, were slated to suffer a similar fate.
Efforts to seek assistance from the Sri Lankan embassy in Myanmar, the foreign ministry, immigration authorities, and other relevant bodies have been initiated, with urgent appeals for swift intervention to address the dire situation.
The plight of these victims mirrors a previous case in December 2023, where a group of approximately 50-60 Sri Lankans fell prey to false promises of lucrative IT job opportunities in Dubai, only to be trafficked into Myanmar by unscrupulous agents.
Initially deceived by offers of employment, the victims found themselves trapped in cybercrime camps in the Myaweddi area, where they were coerced into committing internet scams targeting unsuspecting individuals, particularly Europeans and Americans.
The victims, subjected to appalling conditions, including torture tactics such as electrocution, waterboarding, and starvation, revealed the grim reality of their ordeal. Refusal to comply with demands resulted in severe repercussions, highlighting the extent of their exploitation.
Disturbingly, it was disclosed that these individuals had circumvented official channels by failing to register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before embarking on their ill-fated journey.
The recurrence of such incidents underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic vulnerabilities that enable human trafficking networks to prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly Sri Lankan youths seeking employment opportunities abroad. Efforts to combat this pervasive threat require coordinated action and robust measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of potential victims.
