Over 600 trapped in Cambodia by cyber gangs brought back

More than 600 Indians have been rescued and brought back from Cambodia, where they were employed in fraudulent employment by gangs operating to target Indians in cybercrime using investment apps, dating apps and gaming apps, among others, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

The fake employment racket with "international footprint" was investigated by various agencies, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which revealed that the CEO of Laos-based Long Sheng Company Sudarshan Darade was allegedly involved. He was arrested by the Mumbai unit of the NIA in June and charge-sheeted earlier this week. Long Sheng, based in Bokeo province of Laos PDR, was actively involved in the racket relating to the trafficking of youth to the Golden Triangle Laos PDR via Bangkok on the pretext of job offers, according to the agency.

"The company would conduct WhatsApp interviews and send appointment letters to the youth, who, on reaching the destination, were forced to commit online crypto currency frauds. Darade has also revealed names of another wanted accused, Sunny Gonsalves, as well as foreign nationals Niu Niu and Elvis Du, who are still absconding," the NIA said.


It said that on the instructions of Darade, Jacob would arrange for the transportation of Indian youths to the Golden Triangle Laos. The investigation showed that the refusal by the trafficked youths to engage in cyber fraud in the Golden Triangle led to starvation and lashing in locked rooms, according to the agency. Many youths were even given electric shocks if they failed to meet their targets of befriending prospective victims on social media, it said.