17 More Sri Lankans Forcibly Employed in Myanmar Cybercrime Operations

According to the ministry, the individuals had initially traveled on tourist visas in search of IT-related employment opportunities. However, upon arrival, they were coerced into working under exploitative conditions in cybercrime activities.

The victims are currently held in an area near the Thailand–Myanmar border, which is marked on Google Maps as a “Cyber Criminal Area.” This region, situated about 25 kilometers from the city of Myawaddy, is under the full control of a terrorist group, the ministry revealed.

Authorities noted that this is not the first such incident. A previous group of Sri Lankans, who had also been forced into cybercrime operations in the same area, were rescued through intensive diplomatic and operational efforts.

The ministry reiterated its warning to Sri Lankan nationals, particularly young men and women seeking overseas employment, to avoid traveling abroad on tourist visas for work purposes, stressing the growing risks of human trafficking and cybercrime exploitation.