Palghar, Maharashtra. In a major and complex international operation, the Mira-Bhayandar–Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate (MBVV Police) has successfully rescued seven Indian nationals, including one woman, who were trapped in cyber slavery in Myanmar, and facilitated their safe return to India. The case exposes a dangerous nexus of online fraud, human trafficking, and transnational organised crime.
Job lure turns into human trafficking
According to the police, the victims were lured between July and September 2025 with promises of well-paying jobs at a Facebook-affiliated company in Bangkok, Thailand. The accused offered a monthly salary of 30,000 Thai Baht (around ₹80,000). The victims were first sent from Mumbai to Thailand and were then illegally trafficked to Myanmar.
Upon reaching Myanmar, the victims were forcibly confined at cyber fraud facilities located in the K.K. Park area of Myawaddy province. They were coerced into carrying out online cyber fraud targeting foreign nationals.
Torture and ransom for refusal
Police said that when the victims refused to participate in cybercrime, they were threatened with violence and subjected to physical torture. Subsequently, a ransom of ₹6 lakh per person was extorted, with the money transferred through five different Indian bank accounts.
FIR by Nayanagar Police; probe handed to Crime Branch
An FIR was registered at Nayanagar Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, covering offences related to human trafficking, extortion, and criminal intimidation. Given the gravity and international dimensions of the crime, the investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch, Unit-1, Kashimira.
So far, four accused have been arrested from Mira-Bhayandar, Surat, and Visakhapatnam. Investigators have also found that youths from Maharashtra and several other states are being similarly trapped in cyber slavery in Myanmar.
Coordination with Indian Embassy and I4C
Taking serious note of the case, Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik directed officials to coordinate closely with the Indian Embassy in Myanmar. The Crime Branch compiled the victims’ identities, addresses, passport details, mobile numbers, and IP addresses, and shared them with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), New Delhi.
Through I4C, the information was relayed to the Indian Embassy in Yangon, enabling diplomatic intervention.
Myanmar Army raid on October 21
On October 21, 2025, the Myanmar Army conducted a raid at K.K. Park, rescuing several foreign nationals engaged in forced cyber fraud. Among them were the seven Indian victims identified by MBVV Police. With assistance from the Government of India, all seven were safely repatriated.
Of the rescued victims, four are residents of the Mira-Bhayandar–Vasai-Virar region, while three belong to other parts of India.
Role of senior officers
The operation was carried out under the leadership of Commissioner Niket Kaushik, with guidance from Additional Commissioner Dattatray Shinde, Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, and Assistant Commissioner Madan Ballal, and the dedicated efforts of officers from Crime Branch Unit-1, Kashimira.
A strong warning
The case serves as a stern warning to young job seekers who place blind trust in overseas job offers circulated through social media or unverified agents. Police officials said efforts are ongoing to dismantle the network at its roots and ensure strict action against all those involved in this international cyber slavery racket.
