Gandhinagar, March 5 (NationPress) The Cyber Centre of Excellence of the Gujarat Police has apprehended two individuals suspected of recruiting young people and facilitating their departure abroad to participate in cyber fraud operations associated with global cyber slavery syndicates, officials disclosed on Thursday.

The suspects have been named as Kaushik Pethani from Amreli and Dhruv Dobariya from Surat. Their arrests were executed following precise intelligence gathered by law enforcement.

As per investigators, the duo allegedly targeted unemployed youth in Gujarat and other regions of India, luring them with promises of lucrative job offers abroad and organizing their travel to nations where cyber fraud operations are conducted.

Pethani was reportedly recognized in cyber scam circles by the alias “Ali Baba” and purportedly managed all logistical arrangements for sending victims overseas for cyber slavery networks.

Vivek Bheda, Superintendent of Police at the Cyber Centre of Excellence, stated that the investigation had unveiled a recruitment network established by the suspects.

“The Cyber Centre of Excellence in Gujarat is dedicated to combating various forms of cyber crime. Within this context, cyber slavery poses a serious threat. In this regard, two agents of this illicit practice have been apprehended,” Bheda remarked.

Authorities indicated that the suspects advertised overseas job vacancies via social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Telegram.

Prospective candidates were initially invited for interviews and provided with training in communication skills and soft skills.

Subsequently, the suspects allegedly organized passports, booked flight tickets, and coordinated other travel logistics for the recruits.

According to investigators, individuals dispatched to nations such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos were subsequently coerced into engaging in cyber fraud activities, including cryptocurrency scams, online investment fraud, and various forms of online deception.

Victims were allegedly confined to monitored locations where their passports and mobile devices were seized.

Reports suggest that those who resisted participation faced both physical and psychological abuse and were prevented from returning to India.

The suspects reportedly charged between Rs 70,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh per recruit. The network was alleged to target individuals not only from India but also from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Authorities revealed that Pethani operated as the primary agent while Dobariya served as his subordinate.

Currently, investigators have determined that Dobariya had already dispatched at least five individuals abroad, though the complete number of recruits associated with the network remains undetermined.

Officials noted that individuals connected to this racket had previously traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka for cyber slavery-related activities.

During the investigation, police also received indications of plans to set up new cyber fraud operations in South Africa and Georgia.

The inquiry is ongoing to identify additional network members and to collect data about individuals who may have been sent abroad from Gujarat and other states via this scheme.

The police emphasized that more arrests may occur as the investigation unfolds and encouraged the public to exercise caution regarding unknown agencies or social media advertisements promoting overseas job opportunities.