Kataria, aide chargesheeted by NIA in human trafficking case

New Delhi, August 24

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday chargesheeted social media influencer Bobby Kataria and his absconding associate Ankit Shokeen in an organised human trafficking case involving Chinese companies based in the Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos.

While the accused, Bobby Kataria, has been arrested, his associate Ankit Shokeen, currently based in Laos, is absconding, as per the chargesheet filed before the Special NIA Court, Panchkula.

NIA investigations have revealed that both the accused, along with others, were involved in recruiting and transporting innocent jobseekers using deception and false inducements.

The victims lured by them, were being handed over to Chinese companies in Laos, where they were forced to carry out cyber frauds and scams under harsh, strenuous and restrictive conditions in fake call centres.

The Chinese companies used to confiscate passports of the victims and they were also subjected to physical and mental torture in the event of non-performance or refusal to carry out cyber frauds, investigations have revealed.

The conspiracy was hatched by Bobby Kataria along with co-accused Ankit Shokeen and others.

Together, they had incorporated MBK Global Visa Private Limited, a visa consultancy, and by taking advantage of his popularity among youth, Bobby was attracting job seeking youth with lucrative job offers in countries like Singapore.

After taking advance payments, he would persuade the victims to go to Laos.

Many of the victims were eventually rescued from the scammers’ clutches by the joint efforts of the Indian Embassy at Laos and local law enforcement agencies, official sources informed.

Used false inducements

Social media influencer Bobby Kataria and his absconding associate Ankit Shokeen were involved in recruiting and transporting innocent jobseekers using deception and false inducements