Vadodara Woman Key Player in International Cyber Slavery Racket
The Cyber Center of Excellence under Gujarat's Criminal Investigation Department has made another significant arrest in an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated cyber slavery network operating across Southeast Asia. On Tuesday, authorities apprehended Payal Chauhan, a Vadodara-based woman accused of trafficking Indian youths to foreign countries under false pretenses of lucrative employment opportunities.
Network Operations and Recruitment Tactics
According to official statements from the CID, Chauhan worked as a sub-agent within the criminal organization led by alleged mastermind Neel Purohit, who was arrested earlier. The accused allegedly used social media platforms to contact and lure young individuals with promises of high-paying jobs abroad. Investigators revealed that Chauhan earned commissions up to Rs 3 lakh per individual for successfully trafficking them to countries including Myanmar and Thailand.
Superintendent of Police for Cyber Crime, Vivek Bheda, provided disturbing details about the network's operations. "They would lure men with the promise of fat salaries and send them to South-East Asian countries where the Chinese cyber mafia would force them to commit cyber crimes", Bheda stated. The victims were reportedly compelled to participate in various illegal activities including cryptocurrency frauds, sextortion, digital arrest, and other online scams.
Expanding Investigation and Additional Charges
The investigation has uncovered that Chauhan, who holds an engineering diploma from a private university in Vadodara, was involved in multiple cyber crimes beyond human trafficking. Police authorities confirmed she also provided USDT and crypto accounts and supplied master gaming IDs to facilitate illegal betting operations banned in India.
Evidence recovered from Chauhan's phone has revealed potential international dimensions to the case. "We have recovered some serial numbers of passports from Nepal and Pakistan from her phone. We are investigating if these passport holders were genuine and if they are victims or agents", Bheda added during the press briefing.
Growing List of Arrests and Rescue Operations
With Chauhan's apprehension, the total number of arrests in this case has reached at least six individuals. Prior arrests include alleged kingpin Neel Purohit and his main associates Hitesh Somaiya and Sonal Faldu, along with two other accused identified as Bhavdeep Jadeja and Hardeep Jadeja.
The case highlights a broader international issue that has seen nearly 4,000 Indian nationals repatriated through coordinated efforts between multiple agencies. According to official releases, rescue operations over the past three years have involved joint efforts between Indian authorities and governments of Thailand and Myanmar, utilizing channels including the Ministry of External Affairs, Interpol, CBI, Central Intelligence Bureau, and state police agencies.
Many rescued victims have specifically identified Neel Purohit and his sub-agents, including Payal Chauhan, as responsible for their trafficking and subsequent forced involvement in cyber criminal activities. The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle the entire network and identify additional victims and perpetrators.
