CBI Detains Mumbai Resident Suspected as Leader of International Cyber Slavery Ring
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 26 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended a resident of Mumbai believed to be the mastermind behind a transnational syndicate engaged in the trafficking of unsuspecting Indian citizens to cyber scam facilities in Myanmar and other nations, as reported by an official on Thursday.
Sunil Nellathu Ramakrishnan, also known as Krish, was taken into custody by the CBI in Mumbai after he made a recent return to India, according to the investigation agency.
Following searches conducted at his home, the CBI seized compromising digital evidence connected to trafficking activities in Myanmar and Cambodia. They indicated that he was tied to international criminal networks that deceive victims with promises of lucrative employment in Thailand, only to transport them to scam operations, particularly in the Myawaddy region (notably KK Park) in Myanmar.
Investigations disclosed that victims are initially transported from Delhi to Bangkok, and then covertly rerouted to Myanmar, where they are compelled to work in cyber scam centers.
Within these facilities, victims face coercion to partake in various types of cyber fraud, including “digital arrest” scams, romance fraud, and cryptocurrency investment schemes, targeting individuals globally, including those in India, as stated by the CBI.
The trafficked individuals endure wrongful confinement, continuous intimidation, and both physical and mental abuse, alongside severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, the report noted.
In 2025, multiple Indian nationals managed to escape from these scam facilities and reached Thailand, from where they were repatriated to India in March and November of that year, according to the statement.
The CBI conducted thorough interviews with these victims to gain insights into the methods employed by the trafficking networks and the operations of these cyber fraud centers.
Based on the intelligence gathered, the CBI executed a comprehensive investigation to pinpoint the principal operatives behind these illicit activities. Sunil, alias Krish, surfaced as a key player and kingpin in the trafficking network, significantly contributing to the illegal transport and exploitation of victims in Southeast Asia, as reported.
The CBI continues to investigate in order to identify and apprehend additional suspects, including foreign nationals, involved in the transnational trafficking network, and to reveal the complete extent of these operations.