Is "relative not reachable after taking job in southeast asia" a scam?

Question

Is "relative not reachable after taking job in southeast asia" a scam? How do I know, and what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is a known, dangerous scam. A recruiter on LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or Telegram offers a high-paying customer service, data entry, or crypto trading job in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, or Laos. The actual destination is a scam compound where workers' passports are confiscated and they are forced to scam others under threat of violence. Red flags: Salary far above the going rate for the role (₹1.5-3 lakh/month for entry-level) • Visa and flights are 'arranged and paid for' by the recruiter • Job description is vague ('customer support' for an unnamed company) • Destination is Bangkok, Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville), Myanmar (Myawaddy), or Laos (Bokeo) • Recruiter pressures fast decisions and asks for passport copy + photos early • Family of those already in the compound reports being unable to reach them. What to do: Do not accept any job offer abroad without verifying through the Ministry of External Affairs eMigrate portal (https://emigrate.gov.in) • Verify any recruiter against the MEA-registered list. Most agents involved in trafficking are not registered • Do not surrender your passport to anyone, even temporarily, before departure • Tell family the exact employer, address, and emergency contacts before you leave • If you or someone you know is trapped in a compound, contact the Indian Embassy in that country and file at https://cybercrime.gov.in • Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (national cyber helpline).

Is “relative not reachable after taking job in southeast asia” a scam?

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