NIA raids multiple states, arrests 5 men in international human trafficking, cyber fraud syndicate

Lina PortmanMay 28, 2024

0 1 minute read

Investigations further revealed that the arrested accused were coordinating with traffickers operating across the international border to facilitate the illegal passage of Indian youth from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to the Laos SEZ.

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in several states that resulted in the arrest of five individuals linked to an international human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate. The accused allegedly lured young Indians with false promises of jobs abroad. These individuals were then forced to work in fake call centers located in various regions, including the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos and Cambodia. The syndicate, primarily run by foreign nationals, coerced victims into engaging in illicit online activities such as credit card fraud, cryptocurrency investments through scam apps, and honey trapping.

The accused have been identified as Manish Hingu of Vadodara, Pahlad Singh of Gopalganj, Nabialam Ray of southwest Delhi, Balwant Kataria of Gurugram and Sartaj Singh of Chandigarh. They were arrested following a crackdown from 15 places in Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, the NIA said.

According to the NIA spokesperson, the central agency carried out a coordinated operation with state police forces and central intelligence agencies at all locations. The searches led to the seizure of several incriminating items, including documents, digital devices, handwritten registers, several passports, fake foreign employment letters, etc.,” the spokesperson said.

Eight new FIRs have been registered by police forces of different States/UTs and five accused have been arrested, the NIA said.

Investigations further revealed that the arrested accused were coordinating with traffickers operating across the international border to facilitate illegal smuggling of Indian youth from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to the Laos SEZ, a- he added. They worked at the behest of foreign-based agents belonging to well-organized unions active in several districts of Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, between others, the NIA said.

“These syndicates were further connected to agents based in other parts of India, as well as in foreign countries like UAE, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos SEZ, etc.,” adds- he.

Publication date: May 28, 2024 at 7:10 am IST