Bihar Police has identified around 1,600 people from the state who travelled to several Southeast Asian countries and continue to stay there after expiry of their visas, with officials alleging that many of them are linked to networks that trap young people from Bihar and force them into cyber fraud operations.
Cyber Slavery Network Under Watch
Officials said the case is being examined in the context of what they described as cyber slavery, a form of human trafficking in which organised criminal networks lure jobseekers across international borders and confine them. Victims, according to the information in the screenshots, have their passports confiscated and are forced to commit online fraud under threat of violence.
Inspector General of Police of the Cyber Crime and Security Cell of Bihar Police, Ranjeet Kumar Mishra, said analysis of data by the Cell had shown that much of the fraud committed by cyber slaves originated in Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Mishra said the police were collecting details of around 1,600 people from Bihar who had visited various Southeast Asian countries but were still staying there even after their visas had expired.
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Officials Suspect Recruitment of Youth From Bihar
Another official of the Cell said there were reports that these people were trapping youth from Bihar in those countries and drawing them into cyber scam operations. The concern is not limited to overstaying alone but extends to the alleged role of these individuals in recruiting others into fraudulent networks.
Officials said the police were also gathering details of 39 agents allegedly involved in such illegal activities. The information available does not specify their identities or locations, but indicates that the investigation has widened to include the intermediaries believed to be facilitating travel and recruitment.
Warning Over Southeast Asia Job Scams
The Cyber Crime and Security Cell warned youngsters about the rise in job scams in Southeast Asia and urged them to exercise caution while responding to job offers or dealing with agents. Officials stressed the need for verification before accepting overseas employment proposals.
The developments point to a growing concern within Bihar Police over the intersection of illegal migration, organised fraud and human trafficking, particularly where vulnerable jobseekers are allegedly being drawn into cyber scam networks operating outside India.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
