A massive international operation has exposed a major cybercrime and human trafficking network in Southeast Asia. Over 3,000 people have been arrested in Cambodia, including 105 Indian citizens and 81 from Pakistan. The Enforcement Directorate has now launched a detailed investigation into the cross-border digital fraud ring.
According to documents, many cyber fraud cases originate from scam centres based in Cambodia and Laos, particularly in areas around the Golden Triangle, known for trafficking and illegal activities. Indian victims were reportedly lured with job offers in countries like Singapore and Dubai but were later trafficked and forced to work in scam operations.
One victim, Manish Tomar from Uttar Pradesh, said he was offered a job by an Instagram influencer and ended up in Laos, where his passport was taken by Chinese nationals. He was forced to take part in frauds involving fake investments and impersonation. The facility had up to 30 buildings and was guarded by armed security. Workers were from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with translators used to communicate with Chinese handlers.
Another Indian, Paul, shared how he was taken to Poim Phet in Cambodia under the pretext of a job interview in Dubai. “There were guards trained in Muay Thai, armed with rifles. I was trained for seven days to impersonate a CBI officer. My job was to threaten victims in India, claiming they were involved in illegal activity,” he said.
Paul admitted to scamming someone in Maharashtra for Rs 75,000 and revealed how scams were run in structured units. He worked in Line 2, posing as a police officer on WhatsApp video calls. Pakistani nationals were also trained to impersonate Indian officials, making it harder to trace the crimes.
The ED is currently investigating frauds worth at least Rs 159 crore, with Rs 3 crore already seized from Indian bank accounts. Eight Indians have been arrested for helping create shell companies and launder money. Much of the money was sent abroad through cryptocurrency.
High-value fraud cases have been reported in Faridabad, Noida and Bathinda, where victims were tricked into investing crores via fake stock trading apps promoted on WhatsApp groups.
Authorities describe this model as a “pig-butchering scam” where victims are emotionally manipulated. The ED is working with global agencies to track the masterminds and stop further illegal transfers and trafficking.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
