Chennai: The Greater Chennai Police’s Western Zone Cyber Crime Wing has arrested a key accused allegedly involved in a multi-state cyber fraud and “cyber slavery” syndicate. The accused, Ilavarasan, who had been absconding for nearly two years, was detained by immigration officials upon his arrival at Chennai International Airport under a Look Out Circular (LOC) and later handed over to the Cyber Crime team. Police also seized his passport and Cambodian currency during the arrest.
According to police, the case originated from a complaint filed on February 8, 2024, by M.K. Ezhilvani (59), a resident of Kolathur. The complainant alleged that she received a phone call on February 1, 2024, from a person posing as an official from the Delhi Customs Department. The caller claimed that a parcel sent from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in her name had been intercepted containing 16 passports, 58 ATM cards, and 140 grams of MDMA.
The call was then allegedly transferred to a fake Delhi Police constable. The fraudsters reportedly threatened the victim with immediate arrest, claimed she was involved in a money laundering case, and instructed her to keep the matter completely confidential. Under severe psychological pressure, she was allegedly persuaded to share her personal identification details and transfer money as part of the so-called investigation.
Believing that she was cooperating with law enforcement to prove her innocence, the victim transferred ₹2.96 lakh to an HDFC Bank account in Anthiyur, Erode district, as instructed by the fraudsters. During the investigation, Cyber Crime Police traced the recipient account to Prema, who was allegedly operating from a cyber fraud syndicate based in Cambodia. She was summoned to Chennai and arrested on March 22, 2024.
Based on Prema’s statement, police arrested Bala alias Balakrishnan from Madurai on March 25, 2024. He is accused of facilitating her travel to Cambodia. Both accused were subsequently released on bail by the court.
Further investigation allegedly revealed that Ilavarasan, a native of Karur district, had been working as a restaurant manager in Cambodia since 2023 while simultaneously acting as a local facilitator for Chinese-run cyber fraud syndicates operating in the country. Police allege that he arranged Indian bank account details through agents in Tamil Nadu and lured job seekers to Cambodia with promises of employment in the computer and IT sector, where they were allegedly forced into cyber fraud operations.
Based on this intelligence, police secured a Look Out Circular against Ilavarasan through the immigration authorities. On July 21, 2026, when he arrived at Chennai International Airport, immigration officials detained him and handed him over to the Western Zone Cyber Crime team. Preliminary interrogation has reportedly revealed his alleged involvement in multiple cyber slavery and financial fraud cases registered across different parts of Tamil Nadu.
In a separate operation, special Cyber Crime teams arrested 14 other absconding cybercrime suspects from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. All of them were brought to Chennai, produced before a court, and remanded to judicial custody.
Cybercrime and financial fraud expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that cyber slavery networks operating in Southeast Asia often lure Indian job seekers abroad with fake employment offers before coercing them into carrying out organised cybercrimes such as digital arrest scams, investment fraud, and banking fraud. He advised people to independently verify recruitment agencies, employers, and visa documentation before accepting overseas job offers to avoid falling victim to such criminal networks.
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.
