Belagavi Police Rescue Three Youths Held Captive in Cambodia Cybercrime Ring
Police in Belagavi have successfully rescued three local youths who were held captive in Cambodia and forced into cybercrime activities. The authorities have also arrested three individuals accused of running a fake job racket from Belagavi that trapped the victims.
Victims Return Home After Month-Long Ordeal
The rescued youths, identified as Akash Kaganikar, Omkar Lokhande, and Sanskar Lokhande, returned to their native Belagavi a couple of days ago. They had been held captive for nearly a month in Cambodia.
Police reports indicate that the victims were lured with offers of lucrative data-entry jobs in Hong Kong. A local agent based in Belagavi promised them a monthly salary of Rs 1 lakh. However, after leaving India, the youths were diverted to Cambodia instead.
Coerced into Cyberfrauds and Faced Assault
Once in Cambodia, the youths were allegedly coerced into carrying out cyberfrauds targeting Indian citizens. They were forced to use platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram for these illegal activities.
When the victims resisted the demands, they faced physical assault and threats from their captors. This created a terrifying situation for the young men far from home.
Police Action Leads to Rescue and Arrests
The parents of the victims lodged a formal complaint about two weeks ago. Acting swiftly on this information, Belagavi City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase took immediate action.
Commissioner Borase contacted the Ministry of External Affairs and alerted the Indian Embassy in Cambodia. This international coordination proved crucial in the rescue operation.
Subsequently, Cambodian authorities conducted raids that uncovered a large cybercrime network. This network held around 50 youths from India and other countries, all forced into illegal activities.
Back in Belagavi, police identified the fake job racket as being run by three individuals based in the city. Inspector JM Kalimirchi and his team played a key role in the investigation and rescue efforts.
A special police team then tracked down and arrested all three accused involved in the racket. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in combating such international crime networks.
Broader Implications of the Case
This case highlights the dangers of fake job offers that promise high salaries abroad. It serves as a warning to job seekers to verify employment opportunities thoroughly before accepting offers.
The successful rescue operation demonstrates effective coordination between local police, national authorities, and international agencies. Such cooperation is essential in tackling cross-border crimes that exploit vulnerable individuals.
Police officials have emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious job offers and seeking verification through proper channels. They advise citizens to be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, especially those involving overseas employment.
The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle the entire network involved in these illegal activities. More details are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the legal system.
