Warning: New scam targets Sri Lankans in UAE.

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued a serious warning about a new trafficking scam targeting Sri Lankans in the UAE, luring them into cyber scam centers in Myanmar. According to recent information, Sri Lankans are being recruited under false promises of high-paying IT jobs and then sent to Myanmar, where they end up trapped in these scam operations.

Here’s how the scam works: traffickers attract IT professionals by advertising high-paying job opportunities abroad. Once workers arrive in places like Dubai, thinking they’re going for job interviews, they’re coerced into illegal work at cyber scam centers in Myanmar. Investigations have even revealed disturbing cases where workers endure mental abuse and physical torture, including electrocution.

The NAHTTF strongly advises against taking illegal migration routes, which are both risky and against the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act. Instead, they urge job seekers to stick to safe, legal migration options.

To protect yourself and others, the NAHTTF recommends:

- Always use authorized channels when looking to work abroad.

- Be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to trafficking.

- If you know Sri Lankans working abroad who may be at risk, or if you have friends and family in similar situations, inform the relevant departments to help keep them safe.

It’s essential to stay alert to prevent anyone from becoming a victim of these scams.