Hyderabad: Cybercrime police belonging to Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) arrested a key accused, Sadakat Khan of Uttar Pradesh, on charges of sending people to Cambodia and engaging them cybercrime activities. Khan was arrested in Delhi airport and brought to the city.
The police have previously arrested K. Sai Prasad from Jagtial, Mohammed Abid Hussain Ansari from Pune and Mohd. Shadab Alam from Bihar for their involvement in the racket.
According to officials, a person from Sircilla had on May 16 filed a complaint regarding her son, who was seeking employment abroad.
The four accused, posing as agents, urged him to travel to Cambodia after collecting Rs 1.4 lakh. Upon arrival, her son informed her that he was confined and coerced into committing cybercrimes, made to work 16 to 17 hours a day and that his passport was confiscated by the agents. He indicated that around 500 to 600 Indians were similarly forced into online fraud for the same company.
Following her complaint, the TGCSB, in coordination with officials, brought the victim back to Telangana. He revealed that he was physically abused and confined, and that the agents had threatened to kill him.
"Agents based in India lure job seekers with promises of lucrative overseas employment and collect substantial money under the guise of processing fees, registration, and visa charges. Upon reaching Cambodia, victims are entrusted to Chinese handlers who force them into cybercriminal activities,” the TGCSB said.
“Any resistance from the victims results in physical violence and confinement. After months of exploitation, the handlers extort further payments, often demanding payment in bitcoins. This racket is causing severe financial and psychological problems," the bureau said.
