In a significant breakthrough, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested five individuals involved in a major trafficking network that sent Telangana jobseekers to Myawaddy, Myanmar, where they were forced to work for organised cybercrime syndicates.
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The arrests were made under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Emigration Act, and the IT Act, following an extensive investigation by the Cyber Crime Police Station (Headquarters).
Accused Lured Victims with Fake Overseas Job Offers
The arrested accused have been identified as:
- Vasam Govardhan
- Banothu Madanlal
- Syed Mohammad Madani @ Max
- Suggana Sudheer Kumar
- Gangala Naveen
Police revealed that the accused operated a well-organised recruitment scam, targeting unemployed youth by offering high-paying overseas jobs. After collecting money and passports from victims, the traffickers sent them to Myanmar, where they were coerced into cybercrime activities run by international syndicates.
Victims Forced into Online Scams After Reaching Myanmar
Once trafficked, victims were forced to participate in criminal activities such as:
- Investment scams
- Digital arrest schemes
- OTP harvesting
- Romance frauds
- Social engineering operations
Two victims, Sharan and Jeevan Reddy, managed to escape after being detained by the Myanmar Army and were later repatriated with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
TGCSB subsequently assisted 45 repatriated victims, gathering digital evidence, recording statements and launching a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to dismantle the trafficking network.
Traffickers Used Social Media Platforms for Recruitment
According to officials, the traffickers used:
- Instagram advertisements
- Telegram channels
- Fake job posts on social media
to lure jobseekers with promises of lucrative data-entry positions abroad, only to trap them in cybercrime hubs once they arrived in Myanmar.
TGCSB Issues Look-Out Circulars; Public Advised to Stay Alert
TGCSB confirmed that Look Out Circulars (LOCs) are being opened against additional accused individuals who are currently operating from abroad.
The bureau urged citizens to:
- Verify any overseas job offer before proceeding
- Avoid upfront payments for recruitment
- Report suspicious job postings immediately
For assistance, the public is advised to contact:
- Cybercrime Helpline: 1930
- Cybercrime Reporting Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in
Major Crackdown Marks Warning for Human Trafficking Networks
With five arrests already made and more suspects under scanner, TGCSB emphasised that trafficking jobseekers for cybercrime is a serious and growing threat. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tracking down international facilitators and ensuring victims return safely.
Munsif News 24×7 will continue to follow updates on this developing case.