The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three accused in a Myanmar-based human trafficking and cyber fraud racket that allegedly trapped Indian youths with fake overseas job offers and forced them to carry out cryptocurrency scams targeting foreign nationals.
The chargesheet was submitted before the NIA special court in Panchkula, Haryana. The accused include two arrested Indian nationals—Ankit Kumar alias Ankit Bhardwaj and Ishtikhar Ali alias Ali—and an absconding Chinese national identified as Lisa. They have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Emigration Act.
According to the agency, the network recruited Indian youths without a valid licence by promising legitimate employment in Thailand. Victims were made to attend online interviews where Lisa was projected as a genuine recruiter to gain their confidence.
Investigations revealed that the youths were first sent to Thailand and then illegally transported to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar. Upon arrival, they were forced to work in cyber scam operations. They were instructed to create fake social media profiles and target victims in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, persuading them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms.
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The NIA said those who refused to participate were confined and coerced into continuing the illegal activities. In several cases, victims were allegedly held captive and asked to pay large sums for their release. Many were subjected to physical and psychological pressure.
The agency described the racket as a well-organised network involving agents in India and Southeast Asia, aimed at exploiting economically vulnerable job seekers.
The case was initially registered by the Haryana Police and later taken over by the NIA, which uncovered links between illegal recruitment, human trafficking and international cyber fraud.
Efforts are underway to trace the absconding Chinese accused and identify other members of the network through digital evidence. The agency is also coordinating with international authorities to track foreign connections and financial trails.
The NIA has warned job seekers to verify the licence, registration and government authorisation of any overseas recruitment agency before accepting employment offers or making payments. The case highlights how fake job promises can be used as a front for transnational trafficking and cybercrime operations.
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.
