MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta’s efforts lead to safe return of five Mangaluru youths held hostage in Cambodia

MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta’s efforts lead to safe return of five Mangaluru youths held hostage in Cambodia

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 30, 2026: The sustained efforts of Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt. Brijesh Chowta have led to the safe return of five youths from Mangaluru who had been held hostage in Cambodia after falling into the trap of cyber fraudsters while seeking employment abroad.

The youths, who had gone to Cambodia with hopes of securing jobs, were subjected to months of hardship after being forced into cybercrime operations. Along with them, a total of 37 Indians from various states were rescued and brought back to the country on Tuesday, following continuous diplomatic intervention by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta played a crucial role in ensuring the return of the five youths from Dakshina Kannada. For over a month, he remained in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and Cambodian diplomatic authorities to facilitate their rescue and repatriation.

Sharing his happiness, Capt. Brijesh Chowta said it was a matter of great satisfaction that five youths from his constituency, who had been trapped as bonded labourers in the cyber fraud network in Cambodia, could be brought back safely. “Rescuing them from that network and bringing them home through diplomatic channels was not easy. However, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the matter seriously and responded promptly through officials of the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safe return of all 37 distressed Indians,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and officials of the Ministry of External Affairs for their support. He also cautioned young people against falling prey to overseas job scams and urged them to be vigilant about unauthorized consultancies.

Background:
The five youths from Mangaluru had gone abroad through a consultancy after being promised a data entry job with a monthly salary of ₹1 lakh. However, they were taken to Cambodia and forced into cybercrime activities. When they refused to engage in illegal work, they were threatened with electric shocks and subjected to physical and mental abuse.

After the victims brought the issue to the notice of MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, he immediately contacted the Indian Embassy and pursued the matter relentlessly. As a result, a total of 37 youths from different states, who were being held under similar conditions, were rescued and brought back to India.