Rajasthan Police Uncover Cybercrime Racket Luring Youths to Cambodia with Fake IT Jobs
In a shocking revelation, Rajasthan Police have flagged a rapidly expanding criminal racket that preys on vulnerable youths by luring them abroad with promises of high-paying computer jobs, only to force them into participating in sophisticated cybercrime operations in Cambodia. This disturbing pattern has emerged as the domestic job market tightens, pushing many young job seekers toward seemingly attractive opportunities advertised on social media platforms.
How the Deception Unfolds
According to police investigations, the scheme begins with social media advertisements showcasing lucrative technology sector opportunities abroad, with monthly salary promises ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Desperate youths from districts including Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Beawar have reportedly fallen victim to these deceptive offers.
Once potential victims express interest, local agents guide them through the process of acquiring passports and visas, presenting themselves as legitimate placement facilitators. However, the situation takes a dark turn upon arrival in Cambodia, where authorities report that passports, visas and mobile phones are immediately confiscated from the new arrivals.
The Forced Cybercrime Training
Police documents reveal that victims are subjected to approximately one month of intensive training in various online fraud methodologies. This criminal education includes instruction in "digital arrest" scams, share investment fraud techniques, and social media manipulation schemes. The training appears designed to create effective cybercriminals who can target specific populations.
One victim who managed to escape recounted the harrowing experience: "We somehow saved ourselves and reached out to the Indian Embassy. If we hadn't, we would still be locked in that room, compelled to commit fraud on fellow Indians."
Exploiting Language Skills for Criminal Gain
A particularly disturbing aspect of this operation involves the strategic exploitation of victims' language abilities. After their forced training, these youths are allegedly compelled to make fraudulent calls targeting people in Hindi-speaking states using Indian SIM cards. Their fluency in Hindi becomes a weapon to gain victims' trust and execute sophisticated scams against their own countrymen.
Victims have indicated that their proficiency in Hindi makes them prime candidates for these fraud operations, as they can easily deceive Hindi-speaking targets with authentic-sounding communication.
Police Response and Investigation
The case first surfaced when several youths from Chittorgarh managed to escape their captors and reach the Indian Embassy in Cambodia seeking assistance. The embassy subsequently contacted Chittorgarh Superintendent of Police Manish Tripathi to verify details, triggering local police action against the network involved.
Udaipur Range Inspector General Gaurav Srivastava has confirmed that similar cases have been reported in Rajsamand district and warned that youths are being trapped in "3-4 countries" under the false pretext of computer employment opportunities, only to be later coerced into criminal activities.
Beawar Superintendent of Police Ratan Singh noted that reports have emerged of youths from villages in his district travelling abroad through such channels and confirmed that an investigation is actively underway to identify agents and determine whether similar coercion occurred.
Ongoing Law Enforcement Actions
Police are now escalating efforts to arrest the agents responsible for these illicit operations. One identified agent, Lucky Mochi from Chittorgarh, is currently under investigation for his alleged role in facilitating the travel of these youths and subsequently leading them into criminal activities.
IG Srivastava has issued a strong warning to potential job seekers from the Udaipur range, urging them to thoroughly verify job offers and the legitimacy of agents before making any travel plans abroad. He emphasized that several similar cases have emerged recently, suggesting a larger pattern of deceitful job placements leading to forced involvement in cybercrime.
The police have pledged to take strict action against agents operating in the region and have established protocols for job seekers to verify offers through local police authorities before committing to international travel arrangements.
