A key operative allegedly involved in trafficking Indian youths to Cambodia has been arrested by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB).
Sadakat Khan, 37, a resident of Taumikpur village in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport while returning from the Maldives.
This is the fourth such arrest. Police earlier arrested K. Sai Prasad from Jagtial, Mohammed Abid Hussain Ansari from Pune and Mohd. Shadab Alam from Bihar was involved in planning the operation.
He was arrested on May 16, 2024, following a complaint filed by the mother of one of the victims in Sircilla.
Investigation revealed that four agents lured the victim with offers of “skilled work” in Cambodia and charged him Rs 140,000 in processing fees, registration fees and visa fees. After being sent there, he was forced to commit cybercrimes, working 16 to 17 hours a day, and his passport was confiscated by agents, police said.
After the victim was brought back, he revealed to the police that there were about 500-600 Indians working in the same company as him who were also forced to commit online fraud.
“These agencies in India lure job seekers with the promise of lucrative overseas employment, charging substantial processing fees, registration fees and visa fees. Upon arrival in Cambodia, victims are handed over to Chinese handlers who train them to navigate various scams. The fraud scheme deceives people, mainly Indians,” explained TGCSB Director Shikha Goel.
Any resistance by the victim will result in physical violence and imprisonment. After months of exploitation, the handlers extort further payments, often demanding payment in Bitcoin, threatening the victims’ lives.
The TGCSB has issued advisories reminding citizens to verify job offers before making payments or making travel arrangements. Police advise citizens to check with local authorities or embassies for information about their destination country.
Published – November 8, 2024, 6:11 pm (IST)
