NIA Chargesheets CEO of Laos-Based Company in Human Trafficking Racket

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted the CEO of Long Sheng, a Laos-based firm, for his role in an international human trafficking racket. The racket lured young people with job offers, then forced them into online fraud. Investigations revealed severe penalties for those refusing to cooperate, including starvation and electric shocks.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday chargesheeted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Long Sheng, a Laos-based company, for his involvement in an international human trafficking syndicate, according to an official statement. The CEO allegedly lured gullible youth with job promises and eventually forced them into online fraud.

Details from the investigation reveal that trafficked youth who resisted engaging in cyber fraud in Golden Triangle Laos faced starvation and physical punishment, including electric shocks, in locked rooms. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated that among the accused is Sudarshan Darade, arrested last June, now identified as a key culprit in the chargesheet filed before a Mumbai court.

According to the NIA, Long Sheng, based in Bokeo province, actively trafficked youth from India to Golden Triangle Laos via Bangkok under the pretext of job offers. WhatsApp interviews were conducted, and appointment letters were sent, but upon arrival, the individuals were coerced into online crypto currency fraud. To date, Darade is the sixth person chargesheeted and the third arrested, following Jerry Jacob and Godfrey Alvares. Furthermore, Darade's mobile phones yielded significant incriminating material, and he provided information about other wanted individuals, leading the agency to continue its search and raise awareness about the dangers of unverified international employment offers.

(With inputs from agencies.)