The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested one more person on Friday, in connection with a sprawling human trafficking and cyber fraud case. This brings the total number of arrests in less than three weeks to six.
The arrested individual of Nashik, was apprehended following extensive raids conducted across the city. The NIA had previously arrested five other suspects on May 27th, 2024, in a coordinated effort with state police forces across multiple locations.
During Friday’s raids, the NIA seized a significant amount of incriminating evidence, including documents, digital devices, and bank account details. These materials are currently being examined to dismantle the network behind the human trafficking and forced cyber fraud operation.
The NIA took over the investigation from Mumbai police in mid-May after uncovering evidence suggesting a nationwide nexus between traffickers and cyber fraudsters, likely operating under the direction of international criminal syndicates.
The ring allegedly lured and trafficked young Indian citizens to foreign countries with false promises of legitimate employment. These victims were then forced to work in elaborate schemes involving fake call centers located in Laos, the Golden Triangle SEZ (Special Economic Zone), and Cambodia, among other locations. The syndicates controlling these operations are believed to be primarily run by foreign nationals.
The investigation further revealed connections between the trafficking ring and operatives based in various parts of India, as well as countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Vietnam, in addition to those in Southeast Asia.
The NIA believes that all the arrested individuals collaborated with traffickers operating across international borders to illegally transport Indian youth from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to the Laos SEZ. These victims were then allegedly coerced into participating in illegal online activities such as credit card fraud, cryptocurrency scams using fake applications, and “honey trapping” schemes.
