Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 19: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three accused, including an absconding suspected Chinese national, in connection with a Myanmar-based human trafficking and cyber fraud racket that targeted citizens of the UK, the US and Canada, officials said.
The chargesheet was filed before a special NIA court in Panchkula, Haryana, on Wednesday. According to the agency, investigations have exposed a “well-organised network of traffickers and touts” operating across borders.
The accused — Ankit Kumar alias Ankit Bharadwaj, Ishtikhar Ali alias Ali, and absconding Chinese national Lisa — have been charged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 24 of the Emigration Act.
The NIA stated that the three accused, along with other known and unknown associates, were involved in trafficking vulnerable Indian youth to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar.
The agency, which took over the case from the Haryana Police, revealed that the accused were engaged in illegal recruitment of Indian citizens under the guise of overseas employment and facilitated their transfer to Southeast Asia for criminal operations.
According to the investigation, Ankit Kumar and Ishtikhar Ali — both arrested — lured victims by promising “legitimate jobs” in Thailand. They allegedly coordinated online interviews with Lisa, projecting her as a genuine recruiter based in Myanmar.
Victims were made to believe they would be provided secure employment in Thailand. However, the accused allegedly arranged their illegal transportation from India to Myanmar via Thailand.
Upon reaching Myanmar, the trafficked youth were allegedly forced to work in cyber scam centres. The NIA said the victims were compelled to create fake social media profiles and interact with individuals in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
They were instructed to persuade foreign nationals to invest through fraudulent cryptocurrency applications as part of organised cyber fraud operations.
The agency further stated that victims who refused to cooperate were confined and coerced into continuing the scam activities. They were also allegedly forced to pay hefty sums of money to secure their release.
The investigation into the transnational racket is ongoing, with efforts underway to trace other associates involved in the network, officials added.