NIA Files Charge Sheet Against Five in International Trafficking and Fraud Racket

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd June. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a significant step in dismantling an international racket involved in trafficking Indian youths and coercing them into fraudulent activities at call centres abroad. On Friday, the NIA filed a charge sheet against five individuals, including two foreign nationals, in connection with this elaborate syndicate.

According to the NIA statement, the accused employed sophisticated tactics to control victims who refused to continue with the fraudulent operations. These tactics included isolation, restriction of movement, confiscation of travel documents, physical abuse, arbitrary fines, and severe threats, such as threats of violence and false criminal charges.

The investigation revealed that the syndicate targeted Indian youths skilled in computers and English, enticing them to work in fraudulent call centres on tourist visas for financial gains. Victims were recruited in India and transported to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Lao PDR via Thailand. Upon arrival, they were trained in various fraudulent activities, including the use of social media platforms and basics of cryptocurrency.

“Tightening its noose further around human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicates, the NIA has charge sheeted five accused, including two foreign nationals, in a case with significant international linkages,” the agency’s statement emphasized.

Currently, Jerry Jacob and Godfrey Alvares are in custody, while Sunny Gonsalves and foreign nationals Niu Niu and Elvis Du remain at large.

The charge sheet filed before the NIA special court in Mumbai exposes the involvement of multiple foreign nationals in the syndicate, with ongoing investigations to uncover additional perpetrators.

The syndicate operated with impunity, even resorting to deleting victims’ mobile phone data to destroy evidence and intimidating them from seeking help from embassies or local authorities. Victims faced confinement without food for days and physical torture if they resisted the illicit activities.

“The victims were subjected to extortion payments ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1,80,000 or were released following intervention by the Embassy of India in Lao PDR,” the NIA disclosed.

The agency assured continued efforts to unearth the complete syndicate and identify all involved culprits.