The Indian government is actively working to rescue citizens in Cambodia who have been lured into employment and forced to participate in cyber fraud schemes, according to a recent statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The Indian embassy in Cambodia has collaborated with Cambodian authorities to rescue and repatriate approximately 250 Indians, with 75 being repatriated in the last three months alone.
Jaiswal’s statement comes in response to reports that over 5,000 Indian citizens are trapped in Cambodia and are being coerced into committing cyber frauds against people in India. The government and its embassy in Cambodia have issued multiple advisories warning citizens about such scams, Jaiswal added.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian embassy in India has yet to respond to a request for comment. The Indian government is also working with Cambodian authorities and agencies in India to crack down on those responsible for these fraudulent schemes.
The problem of cyber frauds is not limited to Cambodia alone. Cybercrime incidents across the globe have seen a significant increase in the past year. In 2023, major data breaches and ransomware attacks have impacted businesses worldwide.
A recent report by Palo Alto Networks revealed its cybersecurity predictions for 2024, urging companies to take a holistic approach to cybersecurity. According to a survey cited in the report, approximately 67% of Indian government and essential services witnessed more than 50% increase in disruptive cyberattacks in 2022-2023. The report also found that 75% of Indian organizations have increased their cybersecurity budgets in 2023 compared to 2022.
Ian Lim, field chief security officer at Palo Alto Networks, stated that despite mature organizations investing heavily in cybersecurity, many still fell victim to debilitating cyberattacks in 2023. He added that the complexity of security capabilities in most modern organizations and cyber hygiene issues contribute to these breaches.
As cybercrimes continue to rise, governments and organizations must work together to combat and prevent these fraudulent schemes. Taking a holistic approach to cybersecurity and increasing awareness about cyber frauds is crucial in ensuring the safety and protection of individuals and businesses.