Surat | An international cybercrime racket allegedly operating by luring unemployed youths with promises of lucrative overseas jobs has come to light in Gujarat. The Cyber Centre of Excellence of CID Crime has registered a case against two Surat-based men along with their associates for allegedly sending youths to Southeast Asian countries and forcing them to participate in organised online fraud activities.
The accused have been identified as Kaushik Ashwinbhai Pethani, a resident of Mota Varachha, and Dhruv Kanubhai Dobaria, a resident of Kamrej in Surat, along with Chetan Prakashbhai Soni, Manish Naranji Bhanushali and other unidentified associates. The FIR was lodged on March 1, invoking relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act for cheating by impersonation using computer resources. The investigation is continuing.
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According to investigators, the accused allegedly targeted unemployed youths by offering data entry and high-paying job opportunities in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Victims were reportedly sent to Bangkok on the pretext of work visas and travel arrangements. From Bangkok, they were allegedly transported through illegal border routes to suspected locations in Myanmar believed to be under the control of Chinese organised cyber syndicates.
Police said that after reaching these destinations, the victims’ passports, mobile phones and travel documents were confiscated. They were allegedly forced to participate in cyber fraud operations. Those who refused to cooperate reportedly faced physical and mental torture, though authorities are still verifying these allegations.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Dhruv Dobaria travelled to Bangkok on January 9 and was later taken by road to a suspicious location identified as KK Park-1–Janlin Group in Myanmar. It is alleged that there he was introduced to Chinese operators and was connected with Kaushik Pethani. Police said Dobaria created fake Facebook profiles posing as women and sent friend requests to foreign nationals.
Once trust was established, conversations were shifted to WhatsApp, where the accused allegedly attempted fraud using investment schemes, cryptocurrency-related scams and Ponzi-style operations targeting victims.
Investigators also claimed that Dobaria was promised a monthly salary of around 700 US dollars along with a commission ranging from one to six per cent on the amount allegedly defrauded from victims. The accused reportedly discussed accommodation and logistics arrangements through social media chats with the aim of recruiting more youths from Gujarat and other Indian states into the illegal network.
Officials further said that mule bank accounts were allegedly arranged in the names of relatives to route and launder proceeds of crime. Forensic examination of the mobile phone reportedly recovered photographs of several Indian passports, raising suspicion that more individuals were targeted for recruitment into the syndicate.
Authorities believe the case may be part of a larger international conspiracy involving Chinese handlers to defraud citizens of India and other countries. Efforts are now underway to identify additional victims, trace other members of the gang and coordinate with central and international agencies regarding the overseas links of the network. The detailed investigation into the case is continuing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
