Noida: A man rescued from Myanmar, where he was allegedly forced to work for a cybercrime cartel, has helped police crack an international “cyber slavery” network. On Wednesday, a cybercrime unit arrested an agent from Jalalpur, Shamli, for luring young Indians with high-paying overseas job offers but handing them over to Southeast Asian syndicates.According to police, Shubham Pundir acted as a local recruiter for foreign-based cybercriminal groups, playing a key role in trapping Indian youths into exploitative work abroad. DCP (cybercrime) Shavya Goyal said Pundir used Instagram to advertise lucrative data-entry jobs in Thailand, promising salaries over Rs 1.5 lakh per month, along with free accommodation and meals. Prospective candidates were invited for “interviews” and charged fees between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh for travel arrangements.The case came to light after a resident of Sector 73, filed a complaint on Jan 12, claiming that he contacted Pundir through Instagram, trusting him as a legitimate overseas placement consultant. He paid Rs 80,000 and travelled to Thailand in July 2025.“Upon arrival, he was detained by unidentified men and later forcibly taken to Myanmar, where he was coerced into working for a cyber fraud syndicate,” Goyal said. The victim claimed he was subjected to physical torture, severe psychological pressure, and compelled to run online scams targeting foreign nationals.During captivity, he was forced to manage fake social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder, befriending and emotionally manipulating targets to draw them into fraudulent investment schemes or online relationships. Refusal to comply resulted in beatings and threats, officials said.The man was rescued in Nov last year through a coordinated operation between the Indian and Myanmar govts, which freed 360 Indians trapped in similar cybercrime networks.
Upon returning to India, he approached the cybercrime cell and registered a case that led to Pundir’s arrest.Investigators said Pundir had so far sent at least six youths abroad, who were subsequently handed over to cybercrime groups. Police have seized his mobile phone for forensic examination, while his bank accounts are being scrutinised to trace payments from foreign operators.According to cops, Pundir is not a first-time offender. He is also wanted in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra for fraud, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.
Three criminal cases have been identified in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Despite having studied only up to Class 12, he is believed to be deeply embedded in organised cybercrime networks.He was arrested under Bns 318(4) (cheating), 319(2) (cheating by personation), 143(2) (trafficking), 238 (causing the disappearance of evidence of an offense or gives false information to screen an offender from punishment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) and Section 66 of the IT ActOfficials emphasised that the case involves more than financial fraud. “This is a serious matter of human trafficking, cyber slavery, and transnational organised crime,” a police officer said. Authorities are coordinating with other state police units and central agencies to identify additional victims.The additional DCP told TOI that Pundir named several other agents involved in similar operations. Special teams have been formed to track and arrest them, and raids are ongoing at suspected locations.
