CBI arrests two accused in Myanmar “cybercrime scam compounds” cases

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two accused persons related to two cases alleging illegal trafficking of Indian nationals to “cybercrime scam compounds” located in Myanmar.

The accused have been identified by the agency as Soyal Akhtar and Mohit Giri. “Recently, the Government of India has facilitated the rescue of several victims of cyber slavery from Myanmar. During the course of the enquiry, the CBI identified multiple agents operating on behalf of foreign scam compounds,” it said.

“Two such agents, who had trafficked victims from Rajasthan and Gujarat to these compounds, were found returning to India along with the rescued individuals and were immediately arrested upon arrival,” said the CBI, adding that the punishment for the offence may extend to imprisonment for life.

The CBI probe has revealed that a large number of unsuspecting Indian citizens are being trafficked to these “scam compounds” in Myanmar, often via Thailand. An organised international syndicate lures these individuals through false promises of high paying jobs and attractive employment opportunities abroad.

“Once taken out of India, they are diverted to Myanmar where they are wrongfully confined and coerced into participating in largescale cyber fraud operations, including digital arrest scams, investment scams, and romance frauds targeting people globally, including Indian citizens.

Those trafficked are subjected to intimidation, confinement, and physical abuse, and are forced to engage in illegal cybercrime activities against their will. These victims are commonly referred to as ‘cyber slaves’,” the agency said.

Continuing with the rescue operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on November 10 evacuated 197 more Indian nationals from Thailand’s Mae Sot. They were employed in the cyber scam centres of southern Myanmar. On November 6, the IAF evacuated 270 nationals who worked in Myanmar’s Myawaddy and had crossed into Mae Sot following a crackdown by the Myanmar military on the illegal centres.

“Embassy of India, Bangkok and Consulate of India in Chiang Mai, in close coordination with various agencies of the Royal Thai Government, facilitated this repatriation. This is part of Government of India’s sustained efforts to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals while in distress overseas,” said the Indian embassy in Bangkok in a statement.

The National investigation Agency (NIA) has also been investigating the human trafficking cases related to the syndicates involved in forcing the Indian youth to work in fake call centres in Laos, Golden Triangle SEZ, and Cambodia, among other places, as part of the racket, controlled and operated mainly by foreign nationals. Several accused persons have been arrested in those cases and raids carried out by the NIA in different parts of the country.

The arrested accused worked in coordination with the traffickers operating abroad to facilitate illegal border-crossing of the victims from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to Laos Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Agents based in places such as Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore, were part of the network.