A key operative said to be involved in the trafficking of Indian youths to Cambodia has been arrested by the Telangana Cyber ​​Security Bureau (TGCSB).

Sadakat Khan, 37, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Taumikpur village, was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport while returning from the Maldives.

This is the fourth such arrest. Police had earlier arrested K. Sai Prasad from Jagtial, Mohammed Abid Hussain Ansari from Pune and Mohd. Shadab Alam of Bihar who were involved in orchestrating this operation.

The arrest followed a complaint filed by the mother of a victim in Sircilla on May 16, 2024. The victim was brought back to Telangana in April.

Investigation revealed that the four agents lured the victim with a “technical job” in Cambodia and collected INR 1,40,000 from him as processing, registration and visa fees. After being sent there, he was forced to commit cyber crimes, working 16 to 17 hours a day, with his passport confiscated by agents, police said.

After the victim was brought back, he revealed to the police that around 500-600 Indians were similarly forced to commit online fraud in the same company as his.

“These agents in India lure job seekers with promises of lucrative employment abroad, collecting substantial sums as processing fees, registration and visa fees. After reaching Cambodia, the victims are handed over to Chinese handlers who train them to cheat people, primarily Indians, through various fraudulent schemes,” explained Shikha Goel, Director of TGCSB.

Any resistance from victims leads to physical violence and isolation. After months of exploitation, the manipulators extort additional payments, often demanding payment in bitcoins, threatening the victims’ lives.

The TGCSB has issued an advisory warning citizens to check job offers before making payments or travel arrangements. Police advised citizens to check with local authorities or the embassy about the country of destination.