The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended a Mumbai individual suspected of being the mastermind behind a cross-border operation that trafficked Indian nationals to cyber scam hubs in Myanmar and other nations. Identified as Sunil Nellathu Ramakrishnan, also known as Krish, he was captured in Mumbai upon his recent return to India. Following searches at his residence, significant digital evidence associated with the trafficking network in Myanmar and Cambodia was seized. Ramakrishnan was allegedly connected to criminal groups that entice victims with promises of attractive job prospects in Thailand but ultimately transport them to fraudulent facilities, notably in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region.
Investigations unveiled a scheme where victims were first taken from Delhi to Bangkok and then covertly redirected to Myanmar, where they were coerced into operating in cyber scam centers. These victims were compelled to partake in various fraudulent activities, such as “digital arrest” scams, romance frauds, and cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting individuals worldwide, including those in India. The trafficked individuals endured confinement, intimidation, abuse, and severe movement restrictions. In 2025, numerous Indian nationals managed to escape from these centers and return to India after being repatriated from Thailand in March and November of the same year.
The CBI conducted extensive interviews with these victims to comprehend the trafficking networks’ modus operandi and the operations of these cyber fraud establishments. Based on gathered intelligence, the CBI meticulously probed to identify the main players behind these illicit activities. Sunil alias Krish emerged as a significant figure in the trafficking network, playing a pivotal role in the unlawful transportation and exploitation of victims in Southeast Asia. The CBI’s investigation is ongoing to track down and apprehend other suspects, including foreign nationals, involved in this transnational trafficking ring and to uncover the full scope of these operations.
