The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a warning on Saturday over Phoney Employment Offers for lucrative positions headquartered in Thailand that are intended to attract young Indians.

The target audience, according to the government, is young people with an IT background who are deceived by social media advertising for lucrative data entry jobs in Thailand as well as by agents operating in Dubai and India.

“Our Missions in Bangkok and Myanmar have recently brought to our attention instances of Fake Job Rackets offering lucrative jobs to entice Indian youths for the posts of “Digital Sales and Marketing Executives” in Thailand by questionable IT firms involved in the call-center scam and cryptocurrency fraud,” the MEA said in a statement.

The victims are apparently transferred illegally across the border, primarily into Myanmar, where they are held hostage and forced to labour in appalling conditions. Indian people are thus warned not to fall for such phoney employment offers that are being spread through social media platforms or other sources.

Before accepting any employment offer, the MEA also recommended Indians check the qualifications of overseas employers with the appropriate foreign missions.

The statement recommended Indian people “check/verify credentials of foreign employers through appropriate Missions overseas, and antecedents of recruitment agencies as well as any firm before taking up any job offer” before travelling on a tourist or visit visa for work purposes.

Following the unlawful entry of scores of Indians into Myanmar as part of the employment scam on Thursday, the MEA urged Indian people to take utmost vigilance before accepting work in Thailand.

Arindam Bagchi, a spokeswoman for MEA, said that IT businesses are involved in digital fraud and fake cryptocurrency operations during a weekly news briefing. He claimed that under the guise of employment prospects in Thailand, these con artists are enlisting Indian labourers.

“We are aware of phoney IT firms that seem to be involved in digital fraud and forgery-related operations. They appear to be using agents in India, Bangkok, and Dubai. Under the pretence of employment prospects in Thailand, they are hiring Indian labourers “explained the MEA official.

He outlined how very attractive job postings on social media entice Indian labourers, who are subsequently transported to Myawaddy across the border.

“And the local security situation makes it impossible to get to that spot you are aware of. However, because of our purpose in the nation, we were able to help some of these victims escape from captivity or forced labour, and we are working to assist others “added he.

Before accepting such job offers, Bagchi cautioned Indian people to exercise utmost care. “It should be noted that employment is not permitted under Thailand’s visa-on-arrival policy. In this respect, advisories have been released by our embassies in Thailand and Myanmar. Additionally, we have brought up the issue in both nations “he said.

An alert had already been sent by the Indian Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar. It has issued a warning over businesses operating in remote eastern border regions of Myanmar that engage in digital fraud.

Read more: Amit Shah: Naxalism finished in Bihar, Jharkhand regions, lauds Sashastra Seema Bal for role in fight