Chennai: Madhan Vadivel, a 35-year-old resident of Madurai who operates the restaurant chain 'Jallikattu' in Cambodia, has been arrested by Tamil Nadu police for his role as a key recruiter in a cyber slavery racket that trafficked Indian youths to Cambodia. The arrest followed an inquiry triggered by a complaint from a victim from Tirupathur.
Arrest and Investigation
Police tracked Madhan's movements and apprehended him from a hideout in Madurai. Investigations revealed that he had been running the operation for the past three years and had trafficked more than 100 victims to Cambodia. He lured victims with promises of high-paying jobs in Cambodia and collected money from them to arrange travel. Upon arrival in Cambodia, victims were handed over to operators of cyber scam compounds run by foreign nationals.
Victim's Ordeal
According to investigators, the victim who filed the complaint was confined inside a compound and forced to participate in cyber fraud activities. He managed to escape, sought assistance from the Indian Embassy, and returned safely to India. Madhan supplied food from his restaurant 'Jallikattu' to trafficked Indian victims in these scam compounds.
International Network
Madhan maintained an extensive international network involving travel agents, immigration facilitators, taxi operators, and foreign nationals across Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. After his arrest, he was produced before a magistrate court in Madurai and later brought to Chennai, where he was produced before another magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody.
Evidence Seized
Police seized phones, SIM cards, and passport-related documents from the accused for forensic examination. The case highlights the growing menace of cyber slavery and human trafficking in Southeast Asia, with Indian citizens increasingly being targeted.
