The National Investigation Agency (NIA) undertook searches at two locations in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh as part of an ongoing investigation into human trafficking and cyber fraud. These searches took place on July 27, 2026, targeting Durgapur in West Bengal and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.
This operation comes five months following the NIA’s filing of charges against three individuals, including a suspected absconding foreign national believed to be of Chinese origin. The investigation aims to dismantle an international network allegedly involved in the illegal transfer of Indian citizens to Myanmar.
The charged individuals include Ankit Kumar alias Ankit Bharadwaj, Ishtikhar Ali alias Ali, and Lisa, who has not been apprehended. They face multiple charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Emigration Act, spanning a range of serious offences.
Details of the Charges and Alleged Operations
The NIA took over the investigation from the Haryana Police and uncovered a sophisticated trafficking network responsible for luring vulnerable Indian youth. The agency has indicated that the accused were part of a broader scheme involving both Indian and foreign operatives that exploited individuals under the guise of legitimate employment offers.
According to the NIA’s findings, Ankit Kumar and Ishtikhar Ali sought to attract young Indians by promising jobs in Thailand. They reportedly orchestrated online interviews with Lisa, who is presumed to be based in Myanmar. The agency’s evidence suggests that victims were falsely assured of secure employment, which ultimately led them to an exploitative situation.
<h4″Upon arrival in Myanmar, the victims were allegedly coerced into working for cyber scam operations, primarily focusing on fraudulent activities targeting people in the USA, UK, and Canada. These operations involved creating fake social media profiles and persuading potential investors to engage with deceptive cryptocurrency platforms.”
Consequences Faced by Trafficked Victims
The NIA has reported that victims faced severe repercussions if they resisted this exploitation. Once in Myanmar, they were subjected to confinement and coercion by their captors to continue working in these scam operations. Furthermore, they were allegedly compelled to pay substantial sums to secure their freedom.
<h4″The gravity of these allegations underscores the complexity and dangers involved in human trafficking networks, particularly those operating across borders. The NIA’s ongoing investigations seek to expose and dismantle such operations to ensure justice for the victims,” a spokesperson indicated.