In a shocking revelation, authorities in Jharkhand have uncovered a sinister human trafficking racket targeting desperate unemployed youth. Lured with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, these young men were shipped to Southeast Asian countries and forced into cyber slavery. The Jharkhand CID’s cyber crime unit in Ranchi has registered an FIR, marking the beginning of a broader investigation into this exploitative network.
Acting swiftly, police arrested Sartaj Alam from Azadnagar in Jamshedpur. Alam allegedly collaborated with accomplices overseas to recruit vulnerable job seekers, funneling them into cyber scam centers. Investigations reveal that unauthorized agents approached youths with offers of data entry and other jobs in Bangkok, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Victims were coerced into paying hefty sums for visas and air tickets, only to face unimaginable horrors upon arrival.
Once abroad, passports were confiscated, and victims were confined to so-called ‘KK Parks’ – fortified compounds running sophisticated scam operations. There, they received training in online fraud tactics, compelled to create fake profiles on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. These profiles were used to dupe foreigners into fake investment schemes via bogus apps and websites, tricking them into transferring money to multiple accounts.
Resistance was met with severe restrictions; victims were kept under constant surveillance and barred from leaving. So far, 11 victims have been identified, with many more potentially ensnared. The case invokes sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IT Act provisions 66(B), 66(C), and 66(D), and Immigration Act clauses.
The CID is now tracing financial trails and unraveling interstate and international links. In a public advisory, they urge caution against unauthorized job agents promising overseas employment. Report any cyber fraud immediately via the national helpline 1930 or official portals. This case underscores the deadly risks of unchecked job scams preying on unemployment woes.