In a major breakthrough, the Maharashtra State Cyber Department has successfully rescued 60 Indian nationals trapped in a cyber slavery racket operating out of Myanmar and Thailand. The victims were lured with promises of high-paying jobs abroad, only to be trafficked and forced into cyber fraud operations in hostile conditions.
According to the Cyber Cell, once the victims reached Myanmar and Thailand, they were coerced into carrying out online scams. Those who refused to comply were subjected to physical torture. Acting on complaints from the victims’ families, the Cyber Cell, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and authorities in Thailand and Myanmar, launched a coordinated effort and managed to rescue the Indians from the Myawaddy region.
All rescued individuals hail from Maharashtra.
Five Arrested, Including Web Series Actor
In connection with the case, five individuals have been arrested. They have been identified as Manish Grey alias Maddie, Aditya Ravi Chandran, Rupnarayan Ramdhar Gupta, Talniti Nulxi, and Jensy Rani D. Among them, Manish Grey, also known as Maddie, is known to have acted in web series and television shows. He played a key role in recruiting the victims and coordinating their trafficking to Myanmar. He was actively involved in fraudulent recruitments and operations from various locations including India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
How the Racket Operated
As per the Cyber Cell’s investigation, victims were initially contacted through various social media platforms by agents offering lucrative jobs overseas. Once in contact, these agents arranged flight tickets and completed all necessary passport and visa formalities. The victims were sent to Thailand on tourist visas.
Upon arrival at the airport in Thailand, the victims were identified through pre-shared photographs and were then taken on a 7–8 hour journey towards the Thai-Myanmar border. From there, they were transported via small boats across a river into Myanmar, where they were confined in guarded compounds controlled by armed rebel groups.
The victims were forced to sign one-year contracts with fraudulent companies. Agents facilitating these recruitments received up to USD 1,000 per victim.
Forced into Digital Scams
The victims were then made to conduct cyber fraud operations, including digital arrest scams and fake investment schemes. These operations were meticulously organized, using fake identities to deceive lower-income individuals and impersonating police or government officials to exploit senior citizens.
The investigation has revealed the involvement of several agents and call centre firms masquerading as legitimate employment agencies. The Cyber Cell stated that the probe is still ongoing to trace the full extent of the network and identify more individuals involved in this transnational cyber crime racket.