Mohali Police Unravels International Cyber Slavery Network Targeting IT Professionals
In a significant breakthrough, the Mohali cybercrime police have dismantled a sophisticated international syndicate involved in what authorities are terming "cyber slavery." This criminal network trafficked young IT workers from India to Southeast Asian scam compounds, where they were allegedly held captive and forced to perpetrate fraud against their own countrymen.
From Promised Careers to Captive Nightmares
The investigation was launched after several rescued youths, recently repatriated from Cambodia and neighboring nations, provided harrowing accounts to the state cybercrime police in Mohali. These individuals, primarily hailing from Punjab and other Indian states, revealed how they were lured with promises of lucrative tech careers in the IT and business processing sectors.
Instead of legitimate employment, they found themselves funneled into a digital underworld characterized by forced labor and physical abuse. The syndicate employed a calculated bait-and-switch tactic, using forged appointment letters and fake job contracts to secure tourist or work visas for the unsuspecting victims.
The Grim Reality in Southeast Asian Compounds
Upon arrival in Southeast Asia, the stark reality unfolded with immediate confiscation of passports and mobile phones, followed by detention and coercion. Victims were transported to heavily guarded compounds that functioned as "scam factories." Under constant threat of physical violence, these captive workers were compelled to impersonate bank officials and government representatives.
Their forced duties included executing phishing operations and orchestrating online investment frauds specifically targeting victims back in India. The Mohali cyber police have registered a comprehensive case under multiple legal frameworks, including:
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- The Information Technology Act
- The Immigration Act
Charges filed encompass human trafficking, forgery, and criminal conspiracy, reflecting the severity of the offenses.
Ongoing Investigation and International Cooperation
Investigators are currently analyzing digital trails and collaborating with central agencies and international law enforcement to track the domestic agents who served as the "supply chain" for the foreign syndicates. This multi-agency effort aims to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.
Protecting Job Seekers: Official Advisory Issued
In response to this alarming racket, the State Cyber Police have issued an urgent advisory for individuals seeking employment abroad. Authorities emphasize that legitimate employers will never require the confiscation of passports, a key red flag identified in this case.
The cyber police advisory includes crucial guidelines:
- Verify Agents: Use only government-authorized recruitment agencies and thoroughly check their credentials.
- Cross-Verify Documents: Authenticate offer letters and visas through the external affairs ministry's official portals.
- Follow Digital Safety: Exercise extreme caution with job offers received via unverified social media or messaging applications.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930 to report any dubious recruitment practices or abuse.
This case underscores the critical need for vigilance among job seekers and robust international cooperation to combat such transnational cybercrime networks that exploit vulnerable youth under the guise of employment opportunities.
