Cyber Slavery: A New form of Slavery

Recent reports reveal that more than 30,000 Indians are currently trapped in ‘cyber slavery’ in countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Data from the Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), shows that between January 2022 and May 2024, 73,138 Indians traveled to these Southeast Asian nations on visitor visas. Of these, 29,466 have not yet returned. The report highlights that many of them are victims of ‘cyber slavery’ in the region.

What is cyber slavery?

• This situation refers to individuals who are often enticed by promises of high-paying jobs abroad but end up being forced into illegal online activities such as cyber fraud, hacking, or scamming. Upon arrival in these countries, their passports are confiscated.
• Victims are typically held in guarded locations with little freedom, and their earnings are withheld. Control is maintained through threats of violence or being reported to authorities.
• A significant number of these individuals are believed to be involved in digital fraud, including investment scams and online dating scams. Reports indicate that these schemes have caused significant financial losses for victims in India, as the fraudsters often exploit language similarities.

While traditional slavery involves physical captivity, cyber slavery takes place in the virtual world, where individuals are manipulated, controlled, and exploited through online platforms.

• Coercion: Cyber slavery entails deceiving or coercing individuals into exploitative situations through false promises of employment, threats, manipulation, or other forms of pressure to force them into performing certain tasks.
• Online Exploitation: This form of exploitation leverages digital platforms, technology, and communication tools to manipulate individuals for profit or illegal activities.
• Virtual Captivity: Though individuals may not be physically restrained, they are often held captive through digital means, such as threats to their personal information, financial assets, or reputation, making escape or seeking help difficult.
• Global Reach: Cyber slavery transcends geographic boundaries, as perpetrators can operate from any location, targeting vulnerable individuals around the world through the internet.
• Diverse Forms: It can manifest in different ways, such as forced labor in online scams, coerced involvement in cybercrime, exploitation within the digital gig economy, or involuntary servitude through online platforms.
• It is estimated that Indians have lost approximately ₹800 crore due to fraudulent activities carried out by these cyber slaves.

Challenges in cyber slavery

Challenges in Detection: Cyber slavery operates in the digital shadows, making it hard to track down perpetrators. Their use of pseudonyms, encrypted communication, and virtual private networks (VPNs) allows them to remain anonymous and evade capture.

Jurisdictional Issues: The internet crosses national borders, complicating legal jurisdiction. Perpetrators may operate from one country while targeting victims in another, making law enforcement efforts difficult.

Pseudonymity: Offenders often hide behind fake identities, complicating efforts to identify and trace them.

Ephemeral Evidence: Digital evidence can quickly disappear due to data deletion, encryption, or rapid changes in online platforms, making it hard to gather proof.

Resource Limitations: Law enforcement agencies often lack the necessary resources, both in personnel and technology, to effectively combat cyber slavery.

Implications of cyber salavery

The impact of cyber slavery reaches far beyond individual victims, fostering a rising culture of cybercrime that heavily targets Indians. Notably, 45% of these crimes are traced back to Southeast Asia.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has registered nearly 100,000 complaints since January 2023, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and mitigate this growing threat.

What steps government has taken

The Union Ministry of Telecommunications has announced plans to:

• Disconnect approximately 2.17 crore mobile connections obtained using forged documents or involved in cybercrime.
• Block 2.26 lakh mobile handsets.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also instructed telecom companies to block all incoming international spoofed calls that display Indian mobile numbers. This initiative has already led to a 35% reduction in such calls, with full implementation expected by December 31 of this year.

Additionally, the DoT is working to track roaming phone numbers involved in scams in Southeast Asia. Between April and June 2023, over 6 lakh Indian SIM cards were detected roaming in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, over 1.4 lakh point of sale (PoS) agents across India were identified for selling SIM cards used in scam operations in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

Telecom service providers (TSPs) are now required to submit weekly reports on Indian mobile numbers using roaming services in regions such as Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Myanmar.

What can be done to deal with this issue 

• Raising Awareness: Raising awareness about cyber slavery is essential. Public campaigns, educational programs, and media coverage can educate individuals about the risks and warning signs of exploitation.
• Legislation and Enforcement: Governments should implement and enforce strong legislation specifically targeting cyber slavery. These laws must address both domestic and international cases, tackling jurisdictional issues effectively.
• International Cooperation: Global collaboration is crucial. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) can promote information sharing, extradition, and joint investigations to combat cyber slavery.
• Victim Support: Empowering victims is key. Establishing helplines, counseling services, and safe spaces will encourage victims to come forward and seek help.
• Ethical Technology Practices: Technology companies must ensure ethical supply chain practices, preventing their products and services from being linked to cyber slavery.
• Collaboration between social media platforms and regulatory authorities is essential to combat emerging cybercrimes and develop effective safeguards against the misuse of technology. Strengthen international cooperation to overcome jurisdictional and anonymity challenges in cyber human trafficking cases.
• Enforce stringent legislation addressing both national and international trafficking, with severe penalties for offenders. Increase awareness among internet users about cybercriminal tactics, such as fake job offers, and encourage individuals to stay vigilant by verifying information through reliable sources to protect themselves.
• Enhance specialized government operations to ensure the timely rescue of cyber trafficking victims, building on ongoing efforts by the Indian government and its agencies. Support mechanisms through government bodies, cybersecurity experts, and NGOs should be promoted to empower citizens in online safety.

Additionally, establish helplines or support centers for reporting suspicious activities, ensuring a safer online environment while bolstering defenses against cyber threats.

The End of the Blog- Cyber Slavery: A New form of Slavery