NIA conducts raids in all states; 5 detained for human trafficking and cyber fraud

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested five people suspected of being involved in a human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate. The arrests took place on Monday after the NIA and state police carried out extensive raids in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, reported l 'ANI.

“The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted searches at several locations in six states and Union Territories as part of joint operations with local police in a human trafficking case involving forced cybercrimes that led to the arrest of five accused persons,” an official said. statement read.

According to the NIA's findings, the accused were part of an organized gang that trafficked Indian youths to foreign countries with false promises of legal employment. During the searches, incriminating evidence was seized, including documents, digital devices, handwritten ledgers, several passports and fake international employment letters, the news agency said.

Those arrested were Manish Hingu from Vadodara, Prahlad Singh from Gopalganj, Nabialam Ray from southwest Delhi, Balwant Kataria from Gurugram and Sartaj Singh from Chandigarh. The operation, which involved local police and central intelligence agencies, resulted in eight additional FIRs filed by police in various states and Union Territories. Trafficked youth were forced to work in fake call centers in Laos, the Golden Triangle SEZ and Cambodia. They were persuaded to engage in illicit activities such as credit card fraud, cryptocurrency schemes and honey trapping, the report added.

According to the ANI report, the investigation revealed that the accused individuals worked with international traffickers to organize illicit border crossings from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam into the Laos SEZ. These syndicates had links with operators in India and abroad, including the United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Laos SEZ.

“They were forced to undertake illegal activities online, such as credit card fraud, cryptocurrency investments using fake apps, honey trapping, etc.,” the statement said , which adds: “Investigations revealed that the arrested accused were coordinating with traffickers operating across the border to facilitate the illegal passage of Indian youth from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to the Laos SEZ. They were working to the demand for overseas based agents belonging to well organized unions active in several districts of Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Gujrat, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana etc. These unions were further connected with agents. based in other parts of India, as well as in foreign countries like UAE, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos SEZ, etc.

The NIA took over the case from the Mumbai Police on May 13, 2024, revealing the syndicate's vast network across India and internationally. The investigation is ongoing.

With ANI inputs