The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge-sheet against three individuals, including a suspected Chinese national, in a cross-border human trafficking and cyber fraud operation originating from Myanmar. The accused, Ankit Kumar alias Ankit Bharadwaj, Ishtikhar Ali alias Ali, and Lisa, are facing charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Emigration Act. The filing took place before the NIA Special Court in Panchkula, Haryana.
The case, which was initially handled by Haryana Police and later taken over by the NIA, exposes a sophisticated network targeting vulnerable Indian youth. Investigations revealed that the accused, along with unidentified accomplices, enticed victims with promises of legitimate jobs in Thailand. Ankit Kumar and Ishtikhar Ali, who are both in custody, orchestrated deceptive online interviews with Lisa, believed to be a Chinese national operating from Myanmar, to deceive targets about secure employment opportunities abroad.
The victims were trafficked illegally from Thailand to Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, where they were coerced into working for cyber scam operations. They were compelled to create fake social media profiles and target individuals in the USA, UK, and Canada, tricking them into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency apps. Non-compliance resulted in confinement, physical abuse, and demands for hefty ransom payments for release, according to NIA findings.
The investigation uncovered an illicit network of recruiters and middlemen facilitating illegal emigration and exploitation in Southeast Asia, causing substantial financial losses through fraud and endangering lives. Lisa is currently on the run, prompting international cooperation efforts to locate her. This development underscores the escalating threat posed by transnational cybercrime syndicates exploiting economic vulnerabilities.
NIA officials have affirmed that the probe is ongoing to identify additional culprits and dismantle the network, emphasizing the importance of bolstering border security and conducting awareness campaigns against fraudulent job offers. Authorities are urging citizens to report any suspicious overseas job advertisements, connecting such vigilance to overall safety considerations amidst changing weather patterns affecting rural livelihoods.
