NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a suspected human trafficking syndicate involved in luring Indian citizens to Myanmar and forcing them into a life of “cyber slavery”.
The agency has booked Neelathu Ramakrishna Sunil, a resident of Kerala also known as “Krish,” along with several unknown associates for operating a sophisticated cross-border trafficking ring.
The Lure of Lucrative Jobs
According to the FIR registered on March 26, 2026, the syndicate targeted unsuspecting individuals across India by posting fraudulent job advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook. Victims were promised lucrative positions as “Data Entry Operators” in Thailand, with monthly salaries ranging from $900 to $1,200.
One victim, Kulwinder Singh, detailed his ordeal to investigators, stating he was contacted via WhatsApp by Sunil. The syndicate arranged his hotel bookings and tickets from Delhi to Bangkok. However, upon arrival in Thailand, Singh was not taken to a job site but was instead transported by agents to “KK Park 4” in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Life in the Scam Compounds
Once in Myanmar, victims were wrongfully confined within fortified scam compounds. The FIR describes these individuals as “cyber slaves” who were subjected to inhuman living conditions, strict surveillance, and physical and mental abuse.
The victims were reportedly coerced into participating in large-scale cybercriminal activities, including:
More Read
- Romance Frauds: Using dating app handles to impersonate women and target male victims.
- Investment Scams: Forcing targets, particularly American females over the age of 45, to invest in fraudulent shares or cryptocurrency.
- Digital Arrest Scams: Perpetrated against both global and Indian victims.
Kulwinder Singh revealed that his movements were restricted, and he was permitted to use his mobile phone for only two hours a day. His meager salary was further reduced by arbitrary “penalties” imposed by the compound management for minor mistakes.
Government Intervention and Repatriation
The trafficking of Indian nationals to Myanmar has been a growing concern for Indian authorities. The Indian Embassy in Yangon previously issued an advisory regarding these cyber-scam rackets and compiled a list of suspected agents, which included Sunil Nilathu Ramakrishnan.
The Government of India successfully facilitated the repatriation of several escaped “cyber slaves” in March 2025 and again in November 2025. Singh managed to escape and return to India on March 10, 2025. Other victims identified by the CBI include Jackson Justin, Shajahan Imamshah, Nikhil Karooth Valappil, Mohammad Ishaq, and Mohammed Imtiyaz.
More Read
Legal Action
The CBI’s Economic Offences Wing (EO-III) in Delhi has booked the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS, 2023), including criminal conspiracy (Section 61), cheating (Section 318), human trafficking (Section 143), and wrongful confinement (Section 127).
Additionally, charges have been filed under the Emigration Act of 1983. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify other members of the syndicate.