Gujarat Cyber Centre of Excellence arrests kingpin behind Myanmar-based cyber-slavery racket, 500+ victims rescued

In a breakthrough against transnational cybercrime, the Cyber Centre of Excellence, Gujarat, has arrested the alleged kingpin of a sprawling international racket responsible for trafficking hundreds of people to fraud centres operating in K K Park, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian hubs.

According to officials, the arrested mastermind played a central role in what investigators describe as one of the largest human-trafficking and cyber-fraud networks ever uncovered by an Indian agency. He is accused of trafficking more than 500 individuals from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Benin and Tunisia, coercing them into forced cybercrime operations, commonly referred to as cyber slavery.

The trafficking route spanned Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Dubai

Investigators found that the network transported victims to cyber-fraud compounds located in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Dubai, where they were reportedly confined, coerced and forced to work long hours executing online scams, financial fraud, honey-trapping operations and cryptocurrency swindles.

Victims from India and abroad were lured with lucrative job offers, only to find themselves trapped in high-surveillance compounds, deprived of documents, and subjected to threats and physical intimidation.

126 sub-agents, Chinese HR networks and Pakistani handlers linked

The investigation has exposed an extensive support system that enabled the racket to function across borders. According to officials:

The kingpin operated with the help of over 126 sub-agents across multiple countries.

 He maintained direct links with 30+ Pakistani handlers who coordinated movement, control and exploitation of victims.

He was in active contact with 100+ Chinese and other foreign HR networks that supplied manpower to cyber-fraud centres in Myanmar and neighbouring regions.

These HR networks acted as conduits, helping set up “placement pipelines” for trafficking victims into cyber-fraud compounds.

International collaboration underway

Senior officials said the arrest marks a significant step in dismantling cross-border cyber-fraud syndicates that have expanded rapidly in Southeast Asia. The Gujarat Cyber Centre is now coordinating with national agencies and foreign governments to track remaining operatives and secure the safe return of trafficked individuals still trapped abroad.

“This operation has revealed the scale, sophistication and brutality of cyber-slavery syndicates operating from Southeast Asia. The arrest of the kingpin will help us uncover deeper layers of the network,” a senior cybercrime officer said.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining digital evidence, financial trails and communication logs to identify additional collaborators and victims.