The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against a Chandigarh-based racket for allegedly trafficking "gullible Indians" to Myanmar under the guise of offering them lucrative jobs in Thailand, officials said on Tuesday.
The operation was spearheaded by Riya Sonkar and an associate named Ajay, targeting innocent individuals with promises of well-paying employment, but ultimately forcing them into cyber-crime syndicates.
A recent search at Sonkar's premises revealed extensive digital evidence of the scam.
According to officials, Sonkar lured individuals by offering them roles such as customer support executives and data entry operators in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
However, they were instead trafficked to Myawaddy in Myanmar, a region notorious for its cyber-crime networks operated by Chinese and Indians. Victims were coerced into committing online fraud and faced severe punishments, including physical abuse and electrocution, if they refused.
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"In case these victims refuse to work on cyber crimes, then they are being given severe punishments e.g. physical torture, electrocution etc. Many victims are still trapped in Myawaddy, Myanmar region," the FIR alleges.
Sonkar's deception was uncovered when she arranged to send individuals to Myanmar on the pretext of employment with a Chinese company, promising a salary of $1,000 and other benefits.
The victims were issued business visas and tickets for Yangon in Myanmar. When questioned about the sudden change in destination, Sonkar provided dubious reasons, which initially convinced the victims to proceed.
Upon boarding the flight, the victims were warned by an Indian passenger about the potential trap laid by human traffickers in Myawaddy. The informed passenger advised them to contact the Indian embassy in Myanmar for assistance upon arrival.
Upon reaching Yangon, the victims encountered suspicious individuals who were supposedly representing the company. Alerted by their co-passenger, the victims suspected foul play and decided not to follow those individuals. Instead, they contacted the Indian embassy, which confirmed their suspicions and warned them against proceeding further.
"Indian Embassy got them deported back to India on March 6, 2024 on their own expenses. It has been further learnt that Riya Sonkar has a target to recruit 20 Indian nationals in the coming days," the FIR has alleged.
The investigation disclosed Sonkar's plans to recruit more individuals for similar purposes, while the CBI's search operation provided substantial evidence of the operation's extent.
The agency's FIR includes sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 370(3) (human trafficking) under the Indian Penal Code, highlighting the severity of the crimes facilitated by Sonkar and her associates.
The CBI continues its efforts to dismantle the racket and ensure the safety of those still trapped in Myanmar.
The agency is working closely with international counterparts and local authorities to bring those responsible to justice and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking employment opportunities.
