Call centre job offers turn out to be traps set by scammers

WITH the advancing technology, scammers are evolving their tactics to deceive victims.

- JITHUL NARAYANAN @Kasaragod

WITH the advancing technology, scammers are evolving their tactics to deceive victims. Three individuals from Kasaragod, who were lured into scam centres in Cambodia and Myanmar on the pretext of employment in call centres, shared their harrowing experiences.

They recounted how they were trapped and how they eventually managed to escape and return to India. They were among the 37 individuals who returned to Kerala after being trapped in illegal call centres involved in global scamming operations.

What began as a promising job offer in a call centre turned into a terrifying ordeal for a young man from Manjeshwar, who found himself trapped in a scamming syndicate operating out of Cambodia. The victim had seen an ad on Facebook and contacted a number on WhatsApp. A Telugu-speaking guy, who introduced himself as Vijay, attended the call. As the victim was from Kerala, Vijay introduced him to Ajmal, a person from Malappuram.

When the victim contacted Ajmal, he said that he was working in a customer service centre in Cambodia where he was earning $800 dollars a month besides being provided free food and accommodation. The victim, who was excited about the job offer, sent his Aadhaar card and passport details, and after 10 days he received a visa through WhatsApp.