'Forced to conduct digital arrests': 60 Indians rescued from Myanmar; 5 agents held

NEW DELHI: Cybercrime officials rescued 60 Indian nationals from Myanmar, where they were held captive and forced into cyber slavery under the pretense of lucrative job offers. The cyber wing of Maharashtra Police also arrested five agents including a foreign national in relation with the case, the officials informed.

The investigation revealed that the victims were taken from Thailand to Myanmar and then forced to carry out digital arrests and other investments scams.

The traffickers targeted victims through social media platforms, luring them with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand and other East Asian countries. The agents then facilitated the entire process—arranging passports, booking flight tickets, and sending the victims to Thailand on tourist visas.

Upon arriving in Thailand, the victims were transported to the Myanmar border, where they were made to cross a river in small boats. Once inside Myanmar, they were taken to heavily guarded compounds controlled by armed rebel groups. There, they were forced to carry out large-scale cyber fraud operations, including “digital arrest” scams and fake investment schemes.

Manish Grey, also known as Maddy—a professional actor who has appeared in web series and television shows—was among five individuals arrested for allegedly operating as recruitment agents in a human trafficking and cybercrime racket, officials said. The others arrested include Taisan alias Aaditya Ravi Chandran, Rupnarayan Ramdhar Gupta, Jensi Rani D, and Chinese-Kazakhstani national Talaniti Nulaxi.

According to investigators, Grey and his associates lured unsuspecting individuals and facilitated their trafficking to Myanmar under the guise of overseas job opportunities. Authorities also revealed that Talaniti Nulaxi was allegedly planning to establish a cybercrime unit in India.