A total of 37 Nepali citizens who were lured to Myanmar with promises of attractive jobs but were instead forced to work illegally in online scamming centers have been safely rescued and brought back to Nepal.
According to the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok, the victims in lure of jobs were compelled to work in fraudulent operations involving online dating scams, online casino and gaming fraud, phishing schemes and crypto-related scams. These operations are part of a wider regional criminal network that has trapped thousands of youths from several countries.
The situation escalated after Myanmar security forces raided one of the scamming compounds on October 19, 2025. Following the raid, the Nepali victims managed to escape and fled across the border into Thailand in search of safety and assistance. The Embassy of Nepal, working in close coordination with Thai authorities, facilitated their protection, processing and travel arrangements back home.
The rescued group arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Embassy officials confirmed that efforts are ongoing to repatriate additional Nepalis still trapped in the region. This includes 23 individuals in Myawaddy, Myanmar, two in Mae Sot, Thailand, and four in Cambodia. Coordination with the respective governments and law enforcement agencies in all three countries is currently underway to ensure their safe return.
In a renewed public advisory, Nepal embassy has urged Nepalis to seek foreign employment only after obtaining proper labour approval as required by the Government of Nepal. It warned citizens to be cautious of fraudulent offers that promise easy income or luxury jobs, particularly in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, where trafficking rings and scam operations continue to deceive unsuspecting job seekers under the guise of tourism or IT work.
