BackLAW
NIA files chargesheet against five in Cambodia cyber slavery, trafficking case
The National Investigation Agency filed a chargesheet against five individuals in a Cambodia-based human trafficking and cyber slavery case, detailing alleged luring of Indian youth with fake job offers and forced labor abroad. The suspects include the alleged mastermind Anand Kumar Singh alias Munna, with others named as Abhay Nath Dubey, Abhiranjan Kumar, Rohit Yadav, and Prahlad Kumar Singh. The development follows prior repatriation of citizens from Myanmar and ongoing cross-border trafficking investigations.
Why It Matters
This case underscores cross-border trafficking and cyber-enabled exploitation, linking India to Cambodia through a network implicated in forced labor and financial exploitation.
Timeline
3 Events
NIA chargesheet filed in Cambodia cyber slavery case
May 16, 2026
The National Investigation Agency filed a chargesheet against five persons, including Anand Kumar Singh alias Munna (alleged mastermind), Abhay Nath Dubey, Abhiranjan Kumar, Rohit Yadav, and Prahlad Kumar Singh. The accused allegedly lured Indian youth to Cambodia on the pretext of legitimate jobs and high salaries as part of an organised trafficking network, seized their passports, and forced them to work for scam companies in Cambodia with torture, including mental and physical abuse such as electric shocks and denial of food and water. Anand Kumar Singh is described as the kingpin who recruited youth through sub-agents, charging USD 2,000–3,000 per person.
CBI statement on money flow in cyber slavery networks
April 2026
In April 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation stated that money generated in scam centres was controlled by masterminds from Cambodia, China and Hong Kong.
Repatriation of Indian workers from Myanmar slave compounds
2025
The government repatriated around 1,000 Indian citizens who had been working in slave compounds in Myanmar.