India identifies new scam compound in Myanmar, Government successfully rescues two youths

Karnataka, India

Two young men from Karnataka are finally home after being trapped in a newly constructed chinese-run scam compound in Myanmar. The rescue began after a tip from a Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate. Within days, officers from Karnataka Cyber Command and the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre coordinated with Indian diplomats in Myanmar. The rescue operation moved fast and succeeded without any harm to the two men. The swift operation was possible owing to cross-agency collaboration.

Karnataka Cyber Command, working hand-in-hand with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the Enforcement Directorate, and the Indian Embassy in Myanmar, secured their release and brought them back safely. The youths reached their families late on the night of 18 July 2026.

The compound sits in the border area of Kayin State, Myanmar (near coordinates 17.139481°N, 98.263374°E). Chinese syndicates run several such centres. They force trapped people to run online romance scams and investment frauds (known as “pig-butchering” scams) that target victims worldwide. Many victims are lured with fake high-paying job offers and then held against their will.

Google maps shows razed fields

The coordinates provided by Karnataka State Police reveals an under construction site in Kanohta, Myanmar.

Strong warning for young job-seekers

Between July 2022 and mid-2026, over 2,400 Indian citizens have been rescued and repatriated from illegal cyber scam compounds in Myanmar. Karnataka Cyber Command has issued a clear advisory: Be extremely careful before accepting job offers in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos or Cambodia.

Watch out for these red flags:

* Unsolicited messages on social media, WhatsApp or Telegram promising high salaries for “IT”, “customer support”, “data entry” or “online marketing” jobs

* Tickets arranged by the recruiter and pressure to travel on short notice

* Promises of free stay and big pay with almost no company checks

* Instructions to hand over your passport or cross land borders illegally

Many of these “jobs” are traps. Once inside, people are locked up, forced to cheat others online, and often beaten or abused.

Dr. Pronab Mohanty, IPS, Director General of Police, Karnataka Cyber Command, said the force remains fully committed to protecting young people from these transnational crime networks.

This quick and successful rescue shows how fast action and teamwork between agencies can save lives.