Colombo: The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued multiple warnings about the increasing recruitment of Sri Lankans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to cyber scam centers located in Myanmar. The task force has raised concerns over the growing number of Sri Lankan citizens being lured into these operations.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, recent investigations have revealed that traffickers are targeting IT professionals by promising lucrative job opportunities abroad. Unsuspecting individuals are taken to destinations like Dubai under false pretenses, such as job interviews, only to be coerced into illegal employment at cyber scam centers in Myanmar. These investigations have further uncovered the harsh realities faced by the victims, who endure mental and physical abuse, including electrocution, at these centers.

The NAHTTF has issued a strong advisory against the use of illegal migration routes, citing significant dangers and violations of the Sri Lanka Bureau of F
oreign Employment Act. Job seekers are urged to avoid traveling on visit visas and to seek employment through legal, authorized channels. The task force emphasizes the importance of vigilance among the public and encourages reporting of any suspicious trafficking activities.

Furthermore, the NAHTTF is committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and urges the public to inform relevant departments about Sri Lankan workers abroad who may be at risk, as well as their relatives and friends in Sri Lanka. The task force assures that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality, emphasizing that public vigilance is crucial in dismantling these dangerous trafficking networks and saving lives.