Kochi: In a major breakthrough, Kochi Cyber Police have uncovered connections between a Chinese-led cybercrime syndicate operating from Southeast Asia’s infamous ‘Golden Triangle’ and the recent Rs 90 lakh online fraud targeting retired Kerala High Court judge Sasidharan Nambiar. The investigation has led to the arrest of three individuals from Thalassery, who are believed to be part of a wider money laundering network aiding international scammers.
The Golden Triangle, a region encompassing parts of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, has increasingly become a hotspot for transnational cybercrime, with several illicit operations allegedly run by Chinese nationals. According to investigators, the funds siphoned from the retired judge were swiftly converted into cryptocurrencies—mainly bitcoins—and funneled through foreign entities involved in sophisticated online fraud schemes.
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Cryptocurrency Laundering Raises Red Flags
“Our probe has revealed that the stolen amount was transferred as bitcoins to foreign-based companies known for their involvement in online scams,” said a senior cyber police official. “These entities operate across borders and use a network of associates both internationally and within India. Following the cryptocurrency trail is difficult, but we are zeroing in on the local conduits who facilitated these transactions.”
Local Youth Recruited as Money Mules
Alarmingly, the police also discovered that unemployed youth in Thalassery and Kannur are being unwittingly recruited by these syndicates to act as money mules. Lured with promises of high returns through fake online trading platforms, these individuals are led to believe that the money flowing into their accounts is legitimate income from financial trading. In reality, they are being used to launder fraudulently obtained funds.
“These youngsters are instructed to transfer the money to agents, who then convert it to bitcoin,” the officer explained. “Some have even received payments of up to Rs 2.5 lakh. One of them recently bought a high-end motorcycle using proceeds from these fraudulent transactions.”
Authorities are currently tracking down several more individuals believed to be part of the local recruitment and laundering network. Arrests are expected soon.
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Rising Threat from Foreign-Controlled Cybercrime
This case highlights a growing challenge for Indian law enforcement: combating foreign-operated cybercrime rings that exploit domestic vulnerabilities, such as youth unemployment and low digital awareness. The use of cryptocurrencies adds a layer of complexity, allowing stolen funds to quickly vanish into global, unregulated financial channels. Officials are urging the public—especially young people—to be cautious of offers promising easy money through online trading or job schemes, which may in fact be fronts for cyber fraud syndicates.
The investigation continues as cyber police collaborate with national and international agencies to trace the cryptocurrency trail and dismantle the broader network behind the scam.