Lok Sabha Question No. 2646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: International Cybercrime Syndicates
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2646

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  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

## 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 Zonelinked  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  crossborder and regional cooperation.

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-

- 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, interalia,  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

## 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.

*****