Background and Timeline
In January 2026, Belagavi police in Karnataka, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), rescued three local youths—Akash Kaganikar, Omkar Lokhande, and Sanskar Lokhande—from a cybercrime syndicate in Cambodia. The trio had been lured abroad with promises of high-paying data entry jobs, only to be trafficked and forced into cybercrime operations.
Modus Operandi
The victims were approached by a Belagavi-based agent offering jobs in Hong Kong with a monthly salary of ₹1 lakh. After paying a recruitment fee, they traveled abroad, expecting legitimate employment. Instead, they were diverted to Cambodia, where their passports were seized, and they were confined in a guarded compound. The youths were coerced into conducting cyber frauds targeting Indian citizens via WhatsApp and Instagram. Refusal to comply resulted in physical abuse, torture, and threats of severe consequences.
Victims and Financial Impact
The three rescued youths were part of a larger group of nearly 50 Indian and foreign nationals held captive in the same compound. The psychological and physical trauma endured by the victims underscores the human cost of cyber slavery. The financial impact extends to the families who paid recruitment fees and, in some cases, ransoms for their release.
Investigation and Agencies Involved
The rescue operation was initiated after the victims’ families filed complaints with the Belagavi CEN (Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics) police station. The police, led by Commissioner Bhushan Borse and Inspector JM Kalimirchi, coordinated with the Indian Embassy in Cambodia and local law enforcement. The operation culminated in a raid on the cybercrime center, resulting in the liberation of the hostages and the identification of the trafficking network’s masterminds.
Arrests and Suspects
The racket was allegedly operated by Suresh Hundre and Asif Alwan from Belagavi, along with Amit from Jharkhand. Special teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the absconding accused. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities warning job-seekers to exercise caution when considering overseas employment offers.
Broader Implications and Trends
This case is part of a broader pattern of human trafficking for cybercrime in Southeast Asia, where Indian youths are increasingly targeted by job-lure scams. The industrialization of scam compounds, the use of social media for recruitment, and the involvement of organized crime groups necessitate a multi-pronged response, including public awareness, international cooperation, and stringent regulation of recruitment agencies.