Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 26: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a man accused of masterminding a transnational human trafficking racket that forced Indian citizens into cyber scam operations abroad.

The accused Sunil Nellathu Ramakrishnan, also known as Krish, was taken into custody after returning to India. Searches at his residence led to the recovery of crucial digital evidence linked to trafficking activities in Myanmar and Cambodia.

According to investigators, the network lured victims with promises of lucrative jobs in Thailand, only to traffic them to scam hubs such as the Myawaddy region in Myanmar. Victims were typically flown from Delhi to Bangkok before being illegally moved across borders.

Once inside these compounds, victims were forced into cybercrime activities, including “digital arrest” scams, romance frauds, and cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting people globally. The CBI said those trafficked were subjected to confinement, threats, and physical and psychological abuse, with little freedom of movement.

The investigation gained momentum after several Indian nationals managed to escape from these centres and return home via Thailand in 2025. Their testimonies helped authorities uncover the modus operandi of the network.

Officials identified Ramakrishnan as a key facilitator who played a central role in coordinating the transportation and exploitation of victims across Southeast Asia.

The CBI has said further investigations are underway to identify other members of the network, including foreign nationals, and to dismantle the wider trafficking and cybercrime syndicate.