Aneka Boram, a brave Sri Lankan survivor, shares her harrowing tale of being trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar. She recounts the traumatic conditions and brutal punishments she faced while forced to engage in cyber fraud. Aneka sheds light on the deceptive recruitment schemes that lure victims, revealing the psychological manipulation that kept her trapped. Now free, she discusses the daunting challenges of reintegrating into society and the lasting scars of her experiences, aiming to raise awareness about this dark reality.
Aneka Boram's traumatic experience highlights the deceptive nature of recruitment offers that exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities.
The severe psychological and physical abuse endured by trafficking victims underscores the urgent need for awareness and action against human trafficking.
Deep dives
The Promising Illusion
A woman named Annika Boram, who once worked as a secretary in Sri Lanka, highlights the perilous journey that led her to a so-called legitimate job abroad. Initially drawn by an enticing offer of an IT job in Thailand with a salary significantly higher than her local wages, Annika and others moved forward without suspecting a scam. The reality of their situation became clear when they were trafficked to Myanmar, where they were handed over to armed guards and forced into a life of crime. This harrowing experience underscores the vulnerability of many individuals seeking better opportunities during financial crises.
Life Inside the Scam Centers
While inside the scam centers, Annika recounts horrific experiences of abuse and coercion, revealing the brutal treatment inflicted upon her and fellow captives. They were trained to pose as women online, engaging vulnerable individuals with the aim of scamming them through cryptocurrency investments, often targeting lonely older men. The conditions were horrifying, with reports of severe beatings for those who failed to meet daily quotas, which amplified the intense psychological distress experienced daily. The sheer scale of the operation, with hundreds of trafficked individuals forced into similar situations, sheds light on the stark reality of human trafficking in the region.
Impact and Aftermath of Trauma
Annika's liberation from the scam center after 14 months marked the beginning of another struggle, faced with the scars of her trauma and societal judgment back in Sri Lanka. Despite the financial and emotional challenges she encountered upon her return, including the burden of debt incurred by her family to rescue her, she remains determined to rebuild her life. Her plans to open a restaurant illustrate her resilience, even as she copes with nightmares and flashbacks from her captivity. The societal stigma attached to her experience further complicates her healing process, as she faces criticism for speaking out about the abuses endured, demonstrating the societal challenges that survivors of human trafficking often confront.
We hear from a Sri Lankan woman who was trafficked and forced to conduct illegal online activity, including cyber fraud against vulnerable victims.
Aneka Boram is one of thousands of people who've recently escaped from so-called scam centres. She talks about her captivity and describes the harsh punishments and conditions she was forced to work in.
The scam centres are offices inside Myanmar or Cambodia, where people have been forced to work scamming internet users from around the world.
If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Presented and produced by Ed Butler
(Image: Aneka Boram)
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