Shahzeb Rahman, an engineer from Dhanbad, is allegedly held hostage in Myanmar.
His mother reported that he is being tortured.
The State Migrant Control Room and Indian Embassy have taken up the case, rescue efforts are underway.
Mohammed Shahzeb Rahman, a 26-year-old youth from Dhanbad - Jharkhand has been allegedly held hostage by cyber-fraud operators in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region. Shahzeb, a mechanical engineer and the only child of his mother, had been working in an IT firm in Bengaluru before he was lured abroad last year with the promise of a high-paying job.
According to officials, Shahzeb’s mother, Nishat Afroz, filed a complaint with the Jharkhand Chief Minister’s Office on November 12, saying her son was being tortured and threatened for ransom. She alleged that the operators forced the family to transfer over Rs 2 lakh and continued to demand more, warning they would kill him. PTI reported.
Following a mother’s complaint, the State Migrant Control Room contacted the Protector of Emigrants in Ranchi and the Indian Embassy in Myanmar to locate and rescue Shahzeb. Officials said Shahzeb had first contacted his mother from a new WhatsApp number and later sent a Telegram message on October 9, stating he was being held captive in Myawaddy and tortured, according to PTI.
His mother later claimed they had ended up sending over Rs 2 lakh to the number provided by the captors.
The Indian Embassy informed state authorities that they have taken up the matter with Myanmar officials. However, the rescue remains difficult and efforts to secure his safe return are underway. PTI reported.
(With Inputs from PTI)
