NIA Charges Five in Laos-Based Human Trafficking Ring Bust

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals allegedly involved in an international human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate operating from Laos and linked to a Delhi consultancy firm. The suspects have been accused of trafficking Indians for cyber scams targeting Western countries.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken decisive action to break up an international human trafficking network, filing charges against five individuals in Laos. These individuals, working through a Delhi-based consultancy, are accused of participating in cyber fraud and human trafficking, officials confirmed on Thursday.

According to an NIA statement, the accused were involved in trafficking vulnerable Indian nationals to the Golden Triangle Region in Laos, where victims were coerced into cyber scams targeting Western citizens. The consultancy, Ali International Services, allegedly served as a front for these operations.

The agency further disclosed that one suspect, known as Zaidi, was instrumental in facilitating the operation, and was implicated in a cryptocurrency scam. He is accused of extorting money via cryptocurrency wallets from victims attempting to evade Chinese scammers.

NIA investigations unveiled a web of traffickers and agents conducting illegal activities, from unauthorized manpower supply to the illicit transfer of potential victims for criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia. They are charged with arranging logistics and aiding illegal border crossings using regional contacts.

The investigation continues, with the September 10 chargesheet revealing the involvement of Long Sheng company's CEO in the high-profile case. Earlier, NIA arrested an additional suspect in Mumbai, Sudarshan Darade, marking the sixth individual to be charged. Two others, Jerry Jacob and Godfrey Alvares, have also been apprehended.

(With inputs from agencies.)