Cyber Crime Alert: Youths Lured into Human Trafficking for High-Paying Jobs

Warning for Job Seekers Abroad

A serious warning has emerged for young individuals dreaming of high-paying jobs overseas. The cybercrime police have uncovered a notorious gang that exploits youths by sending them to Thailand and Myanmar, where they are forced into becoming 'cyber slaves.' Authorities have apprehended a key suspect, Shubham Pundir, linked to this operation.

Deceptive Tactics via Social Media

Shivya Goyal, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime), revealed the gang's modus operandi. Shubham Pundir would post advertisements for 'attractive foreign job offers' on various social media platforms. When unemployed youths responded, he would gain their trust and promise them data entry or customer service jobs in Thailand.

Victims of a Larger Scheme

So far, Pundir has ensnared at least six young individuals from different states. Goyal emphasized that this case extends beyond mere fraud; it is linked to human trafficking, cyber fraud, and international organized crime. The police are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. A young man from Noida Sector-73 filed a complaint with the cybercrime police on January 12.

A Disturbing Experience in Thailand

According to the victim, he connected with Shubham Pundir through Instagram, where Pundir posed as an agent for overseas jobs. He was deceived into paying 80,000 rupees for a data entry position in Thailand, after which Pundir arranged his flight. Upon arrival, the victim was seized by individuals who trafficked him to Myanmar, forcing him into cybercrime activities.

Coercion and Abuse

The victim reported that he faced both physical and mental pressure to engage in cyber fraud. Young people who fell victim to this scheme were coerced into befriending foreign nationals on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder, convincing them to invest. Refusal to comply resulted in violence against them.

Government Intervention

The Additional Deputy Commissioner noted that in November, the central government successfully repatriated 360 Indians stranded in Myanmar with the help of the local government. The victim was among those rescued. Based on his written complaint, a case was registered against Shubham Pundir, leading to the formation of a team for his arrest. The police successfully apprehended him in Shamli district.