CBI arrests ‘recruiter’ linked to overseas cyber scam centres exploiting Indian nationals

CBI arrests recruiter Krishna Kumar Lakhwani for trafficking Indians to Cambodia for cyber scams, exploiting job seekers.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a person on the charge of recruiting Indian nationals for cyber scam compounds located in foreign jurisdictions, including Cambodia.

The accused has been identified as Krishna Kumar Lakhwani, who belongs to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He allegedly collected about $300-400 per head from job seekers and facilitated their travel to Cambodia via Delhi through different routes, where they were forced to carry out various online frauds targeting victims in India.

“Victims brought to these compounds are reportedly subjected to intimidation, wrongful confinement, and coercion, and are forced to engage in cybercriminal activities under threats and abusive conditions. Such trafficked individuals are often referred to as ‘cyber slaves’,” the agency said.

Based on source information and surveillance, the agency intercepted the accused upon his arrival in India and brought him to the CBI’s office for questioning. “During examination of his mobile phone in the presence of witnesses, several videos were found showing him interviewing candidates for recruitment to the scam compounds. Images of passports of multiple Indian candidates allegedly recruited by him for these centres in Cambodia were also recovered,” the CBI said.