**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to questions regarding international cybercrime syndicates, specifically addressing their activities in South East Asia and their impact on Indian citizens. It outlines actions taken to raise awareness, cooperate with other nations, and assist Indian nationals. The response was issued by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 16, 2025, answering questions raised on the same date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **International Cybercrime Syndicates:**
* Scam compounds exist in South East Asia, but specific information is not maintained.
* UNODC identified major concentrations of scam compounds in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
* **Data on Cybercrimes:**
* The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes in India in its annual "Crime in India" report, with the latest report being for 2023. Specific data, regarding cybercrime syndicates, is not maintained by NCRB.
* **International Cooperation:**
* India and Myanmar signed an MoU in February 2020 to strengthen cooperation in preventing trafficking in persons.
* A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 17 January 2025 by I4C, MHA and the Department of Homeland Security, United States of America (USA) to strengthen cooperation and capacity building in cybercrime investigations.
* The Ministry of External Affairs holds bilateral cyber dialogues with various countries.
* **Cybercrime Awareness Initiatives:**
* A caller tune campaign launched with effect from 19.12.2024.
* Comprehensive awareness program on digital arrest scams and cyber slavery.
* Cybercrime awareness campaign with DD News, “Cyber-Alert”, started on 19th July 2025 and will run for 52 weeks.
* Establishment of various channels for Indian nationals abroad to seek assistance, including walk-in interviews, email, multilingual helplines, and online portals.
* The Ministry of External Affairs issues advisories and social media posts about fake job rackets.
* Awareness messages through SMS and social media platforms.
* Various campaigns including TV, radio, school campaigns, cinema halls advertising, IPL campaigns and campaigns during Kumbh Mela 2025 & Suraj Kund Mela 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Citizens**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness of cybercrime risks, especially related to digital arrest scams, cyber slavery, and fake job offers. Access to resources and channels for seeking assistance if they are victims of cybercrime, especially those living abroad.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about cybercrime trends and scams. Utilize available resources and channels to verify employment offers, report cybercrime incidents, and seek assistance when needed.
**Indian Nationals Abroad**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness of fake job rackets in South-East Asian countries. Access to channels to reach out to the Mission/Post concerned in case they need any assistance.
* **Action Required:** Verify antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before accepting any kind of employment offer.
**Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced cooperation with international counterparts (Myanmar and USA) for combating cybercrime.
* **Action Required:** Strengthen cooperation through established Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The primary ministry involved in addressing the issues raised in the Lok Sabha question regarding international cybercrime syndicates.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): A division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, this organization collaborates on initiatives to combat cybercrime, including awareness campaigns.
South East Asia: The region of focus concerning international cybercrime syndicates, particularly scam compounds.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): Responsible for compiling and publishing crime statistics in India, including cybercrimes.
Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930: A government initiative that has launched caller tune campaigns, raising awareness about cybercrime.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2646
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16TH DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947
(SAKA)
INTERNATIONAL CYBERCRIME SYNDICATES
2646. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details regarding the list of international cybercrime syndicates
identified by the Government during the last five years in a country-wise
manner, especially those in South East Asia;
(b) the details regarding the total valuation of fraud committed by such
international cybercrime syndicates against Indian citizens during the last
five years and the amounts recovered, State-wise including Andhra
Pradesh;
(c) the details regarding the total number of foreign citizens
arrested/extradited during the last five years for cybercrimes committed
against Indian citizens, country-wise;
(d) whether the Government has established any treaties/ agreements
with other countries for speedy prosecution of cybercrime syndicates, if
so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government had undertaken any steps to raise awareness
of such international cybercrime syndicates, if so, the details thereof and
if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a): As per available information, there are scam compounds in South
East Asia. However, specific information is not maintained. United-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2646 FOR 16.12.2025
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also in its report titled
“Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground
Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia”, has mentioned
that major concentrations of scam compounds in South East Asia have
been identified in Cambodia (notably casino- and Special Economic Zone-
linked areas in and around Sihanoukville, Poipet, Bavet and Koh Kong),
Myanmar (border and special zones in the vicinity of Myawaddy, Shwe
Kokko, Kokang and Mong La) and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the
Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province).
(b) and (c) : The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and
publishes the statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”.
The latest published report is for the year 2023. The specific data is not
maintained by NCRB.
(d) : India and Myanmar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue,
Recovery, Repatriation and Re-Integration of Victims of Trafficking in
February 2020 for strengthening cooperation between Law Enforcement
Agencies (LEA) to counter trafficking in persons and promoting cross-
border and regional cooperation.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2646 FOR 16.12.2025
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 17
January 2025 by I4C, MHA and the Department of Homeland Security,
United States of America (USA) to strengthen cooperation and capacity
building in cybercrime investigations. It helps coordinate support during
major criminal investigations, enhances technical skills and ensures
faster response to cyber enabled threats at national and international
levels.
The Ministry of External Affairs holds bilateral cyber dialogue with
various countries from time to time.
(e) The Central Government has taken various initiatives to create
cyber crime awareness including awareness on International cybercrime
syndicates which, inter-alia, include the following:
1) Caller Tune Campaign: I4C is collaboration with the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a caller tune campaign
with effect from 19.12.2024 for raising awareness about cybercrime
and promoting the Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930 & NCRP portal.
The caller tunes were also being broadcast in English, Hindi and 10
regional languages by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). Six
versions of caller tunes were played which cover various modus--4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2646 FOR 16.12.2025
operandi, namely, Digital Arrest, Investment Scam, Malware, Fake
Loan App, Fake Social Media Advertisements.
2) The Central Government has launched a comprehensive awareness
programme on digital arrest scams and cyber slavery which, inter-
alia, include; television advertisements, newspaper advertisement,
Billboards at airports, railway stations and metro stations, use of
social media influencers to create special posts, campaign through
Prasar Bharti and electronic media, special programme on
Aakashvani.
3) In partnership with DD News, I4C conducted a cybercrime
awareness campaign running through Weekly Show Cyber-Alert
starting from 19th July 2025 for 52 Weeks.
4) The Government has established various channels to enable Indian
nationals abroad to reach out to the Mission/Post concerned in case
they need any assistance through walk-in interview, email,
multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, WhatsApp numbers,
grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS, and eMigrate,
and social media etc.
5) Ministry of External Affairs issues advisories and social media posts
about the fake job rackets from time to time. Missions in South-East-5-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2646 FOR 16.12.2025
Asian countries issued various detailed advisories, upon receiving
such information on Indian nationals being lured by fake job rackets
in South-East countries, to job seekers, and advise them to verify all
antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before accepting
any kind of employment offer and not be enticed and entrapped in
the fraudulent job offers in these countries.
6) Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with the Indian
Missions/Posts abroad and offices of Protectors of Emigrants in
India, takes quick and decisive action whenever instances of
exploitation of job seekers by illegal agents come to notice.
7) To further spread awareness on cyber crime, the Central
Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include;
dissemination of messages through SMS, I4C social media account
i.e. X (formerly Twitter) (@CyberDost), Facebook(CyberDostI4C),
Instagram (CyberDostI4C), Telegram(cyberdosti4c), SMS campaign,
TV campaign, Radio campaign, School Campaign, advertisement in
cinema halls, celebrity endorsement, IPL campaign, campaign during
Kumbh Mela 2025 & Suraj Kund Mela 2025, engaged MyGov for
publicity in multiple mediums, organizing Cyber Safety and Security
Awareness weeks in association with States/UTs, etc.
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