By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued a stark warning regarding a rise in the trafficking of Sri Lankans from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Myanmar, where they are forced into labour at cyber scam centres.

Information from trusted sources has revealed that these trafficking operations are specifically targeting Sri Lankans, especially young IT professionals, under the guise of lucrative overseas job offers.

According to recent investigations, traffickers use deceptive recruitment tactics, often promising high-salaried IT roles in foreign countries.

Once candidates arrive in locations such as Dubai for purported job interviews, they are coerced into travelling onward to Myanmar.

At these destinations, they face not only illegal confinement but also psychological and physical abuse, including reports of severe methods such as electrocution.

The NAHTTF has repeatedly cautioned the public about the dangers of recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable job seekers for cyber scam operations.

Sri Lankan nationals are urged to avoid travelling abroad on visit visas, particularly through unauthorised channels, which violate the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act.

In light of these developments, the NAHTTF has outlined a series of urgent precautions and steps for the public:

• Seek employment abroad only through safe, legal migration routes authorised by official channels.
• Remain vigilant for signs of trafficking or dubious recruitment activities, and report them.
• Protect at-risk individuals by notifying relevant authorities if they know Sri Lankan nationals abroad who might be in danger, as well as their families or friends back home.

For those wishing to report suspected trafficking activities, the NAHTTF offers confidential reporting via their hotline at 0112102570 or 076 844 7700, or by email at [email protected].

The task force assures the public that all information shared will be handled discreetly to protect the identity of informants.