New Delhi | An international network operating a large-scale overseas job scam has come under scrutiny after central agencies uncovered evidence suggesting links extending from Cambodia to Pakistan. The scam, which lured hundreds of Indian youth with promises of lucrative employment abroad, is now being examined as a case involving organised cybercrime and human trafficking.
Officials associated with the probe said several victims who were brought back to India told investigators that they were recruited through intermediaries who claimed connections with handlers based in Pakistan. These disclosures have added a cross-border dimension to what initially appeared to be a case of employment fraud.
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Racket came to light in 2024
The job scam surfaced in 2024 after complaints began emerging from multiple states. Preliminary assessments indicated that more than 5,000 Indian nationals had been trafficked to Cambodia after being offered high-paying jobs in casinos, call centres and the IT sector.
Once abroad, many victims were allegedly forced to participate in cyber fraud operations. Those who resisted reportedly faced intimidation, physical abuse and restrictions on movement. Several Indians were later rescued and repatriated following coordinated efforts by Indian authorities and diplomatic channels.
Advisories issued by Indian mission
As complaints mounted, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia issued repeated advisories warning job seekers against unauthorised agents and unverified employment offers circulated through social media platforms. Despite these warnings, the network continued to operate for an extended period.
Digital trail crosses borders
Investigators said forensic examination of recruitment-related chats, call records and documents revealed digital footprints beyond Indian borders. These included IP logs and communication patterns linked to Pakistan, indicating that the network was being operated through multiple jurisdictions.
The probe also revealed that unemployed youth from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana and Kerala were systematically targeted.
Issue raised at security forums
Sources said the matter was discussed at the Anti-Terrorism Conference held in December 2025, where concerns were expressed over the growing convergence of cyber fraud, human trafficking and organised crime. Officials noted that the scam went beyond financial deception and involved sustained exploitation of victims.
Central agencies step up action
Following the identification of Pakistan-linked IP addresses, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the National Investigation Agency expanded the scope of their investigation.
These digital identifiers have been added to a ‘suspect registry’ developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre using data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The registry, shared with banks, contains details of nearly 1.4 million individuals suspected of involvement in cyber offences.
Accounts frozen, losses averted
Official figures show that the registry has helped freeze 5,54,865 bank accounts and identify over 15,10,800 beneficiary accounts linked to fraudulent activity. Authorities estimate that potential losses of around ₹7,980 crore were prevented by blocking close to 20 lakh suspicious transactions.
₹52,976 crore lost in six years
Data compiled by I4C indicates that Indians have lost more than ₹52,976 crore to cyber fraud and cheating cases over the past six years. A significant number of these cases involved fake overseas job offers circulated through social media and messaging applications.
Victims reported being subjected to forced labour, physical abuse and threats of organ trafficking after reaching foreign locations. Disturbing accounts of mistreatment emerged after the scam was exposed in 2024.
Authorities urge vigilance
Central agencies have reiterated the need for caution while accepting overseas job offers, particularly those routed through unofficial agents or social media channels. Officials said efforts are underway to dismantle the entire network, with international cooperation being explored to bring those responsible to account.
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.
