NIA: Chinese syndicates pushing Indians into cyber scams
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed a Panchkula-based Special Court that Chinese crime syndicates operating in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand are luring hundreds of Indians with IT sector job offers but forcing them to commit cyber fraud in the US, UK, and India.
These revelations were made in a chargesheet filed against social media influencer Bobby Kataria and two others for trafficking poor Indians to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos.
Arun Kumar of Fatehpur (UP), and his friend Manish Tomar approached Kataria’s office in Gurugram after viewing his videos on Instagram (“Bobby Kataria Official”) and YouTube (“MBK Ka Sath”), which advertised overseas employment opportunities. Kumar was promised a job in the UAE after he paid Rs 1.52 lakh, while Tomar was offered employment in Singapore for Rs 2.57 lakh.
However, they were sent to Laos instead. There, they were taken to an undisclosed Chinese firm, physically assaulted, and had their passports confiscated. They were forced to commit cyber fraud targeting US citizens.
“The complainant also disclosed the presence of about 150 Indians, including women, who were brought to the company through human trafficking by brokers like Bobby Kataria under the pretext of lucrative jobs. They are held hostage by Chinese companies,” states the chargesheet.
After two days, Kumar and Tomar managed to escape with the assistance of the Indian embassy in Laos. Following Kumar’s complaint, the Haryana Police registered an FIR in Gurugram on May 27 and later the case was handed over to the NIA. During a raid on Kataria’s premises, the authorities had recovered Rs 20 lakh in cash and registers detailing transactions.
The NIA has highlighted a growing trend of human trafficking for online scams and financial fraud, particularly in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Organised crime groups linked to casinos and hotels operate from compound-like buildings where victims are harboured and forced to commit cyber-enabled crimes.
The NIA stated that Indian job seekers were often recruited through fraudulent job advertisements on messaging apps and social media, promising roles as customer service representatives, communication personnel, or IT specialists, with attractive salaries and free accommodations. Victims were assured that their tourist visas would be converted into work visas, though Laos had no such provision.
Once trafficked, victims were compelled to sign contracts with Chinese firms for at least a year. They were assigned cyber fraud targets and faced severe mental and physical abuse if they failed to meet them. Victims reported being subjected to punishments such as push-ups, staring at clocks for hours, and eating Japanese chillies.
According to the NIA, victims had their salaries deducted, and were threatened with being handed over to rebel territories in Myanmar and Thailand. On complete refusal to do scam work, their Chinese managers demanded 25,000 to 30,000 yuan that was paid to their agents.
An email dated June 17 to the Indian embassy by a victim, which was a part of the chargesheet, revealed they were coerced into working 14–16 hours daily without any leave.
Kataria, who gained popularity by posting controversial videos, used his social media influence to lure job seekers, despite his firm lacking a legal licence for overseas employment, the NIA said.
Shokeen’s role was to arrange tickets for victims and facilitate their placement in Laos in exchange for payments from various Chinese companies. To deceive immigration authorities, victims were “tutored” to show return tickets and hotel bookings to appear as tourists. These tickets were later cancelled.
The matter is posted to January 7 for arguments on the framing of charges.
Lured job seekers
Bobby Kataria, who gained popularity by posting controversial videos, used his influence to lure job seekers, despite his firm lacking a legal licence for overseas employment, the NIA said.
