Sri Lankan workers in the UAE are being trafficked to cybercrime camps in Myanmar, authorities have warned

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued an alert over a spike in cases of Sri Lankans being referred to cybercrime camps in Myanmar.

According to the NAHTTF, recent reports have indicated that Sri Lankan citizens, especially those living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are being targeted by human traffickers who falsely promise high-paying jobs, especially in the IT sector.

According to the latest findings from NAHTTF, human traffickers lure skilled IT professionals under the pretext of lucrative overseas job opportunities. Victims are taken to places like Dubai for so-called interviews, but are then illegally transported and forced into cybercrime operations in Myanmar.

Investigations into these cybercrime camps have revealed serious human rights violations, with detainees facing both mental and brutal physical torture, including electrocution, the NAHTTF said in a statement.

Therefore, NAHTTF urges the public to exercise caution, avoid traveling abroad for work on a tourist visa, and use only authorized agencies for foreign job placement. Violating these guidelines may increase vulnerability to illicit trafficking and is also contrary to the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Act, it added.

To combat these smuggling networks, NAHTTF is calling on the public for support in several ways:

– Use only legal channels: Ensure migration for work is handled through recognized agencies.
– Stay alert: report suspicious activities to the authorities.
– Protect those at risk: Inform the relevant authorities if you know of Sri Lankan workers who may be in danger, or if you know of workers abroad who may be in similar situations.

To report similar suspicious activity, the public is encouraged to contact NAHTTF through the following channels:

-Hotline: 0112102570 / 076 844 7700
-Email: [email protected]

All information provided will be kept strictly confidential, the NAHTTF said.