Hyderabad cops arrest Mumbai woman for sending victims to Cambodia for cybercrime
Hyderabad: Officials from the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) have arrested a woman from Mumbai for her alleged involvement in sending victims to Cambodia to engage in cybercriminal activities.
The accused has been identified as Priyanka Shivkumar Siddu, 30, a Subhash Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai resident. She was a recruiting agent and previously ran an unlicensed job processing agency.
A case has been registered under Cr.No. 13/2024 u/s 323, 370, 342, 386, 420, 506 r/w 120B IPC; 66D IT Act; 24 Emigration Act at the Cyber Crime Police Station (HQ), TGCSB, Hyderabad.
According to police reports, Priyanka used to work at Maxwell, a licensed overseas job processing agency that shut down because of the health issues of its Managing Director. Utilising her experience, Priyanka later set up her own agency without obtaining proper licensing.
She deceived job seekers by offering visit visas, promising to convert them to job visas later. Priyanka formed a connection with Narayana, who operated a similar agency in Mumbai.
Narayana travelled to Cambodia and informed Priyanka about data entry job opportunities there. He introduced her to Jithender Shah, alias Amer Khan, the director of a Chinese-owned company named Zhan Zei.
Priyanka visited Cambodia to verify these opportunities and was offered a $500 commission for each candidate she sent. After returning to India, she processed visas for her sister’s son, Akshay Vaidhya, and his friend, Danish Khan, who were the first candidates she sent to Cambodia.
Upon arrival in Cambodia, Vaidhya and Khan endured a 12-hour road journey. Jithender Shah, alias Amer Khan, then informed them that their job involved committing cybercrimes. Priyanka had extensively advertised high-paying jobs in Cambodia through newspapers and social media, attracting individuals such as Vamsi Krishna and Sai Prasad from Hyderabad.
Priyanka collected Rs. 30,000 as a commission from each candidate, processed their visas, and sent them to Cambodia, where they faced severe physical and mental abuse after refusing to engage in cybercriminal activities. The victims eventually managed to return to India with much difficulty. The investigation into Priyanka’s role facilitating in these crimes continues.
Modus Operandi:
Fraudulent agents in India entice job seekers with promises of high-paying overseas positions and charge them under the guise of processing fees, registration, and visa charges. They then send these individuals to Cambodia, where they are handed over to Chinese handlers. Victims are forced into committing cybercrimes under threats of violence and confinement. Those who resist are subjected to physical abuse and psychological torment. Handlers also extort additional money from the victims, demanding payment in bitcoins under threat of death.
Public Appeal:
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) urges job seekers to avoid accepting visit visas for employment purposes and always demand a proper job visa rather than a visit visa.
Verify travel agents’ credentials through the Protector of Emigrants and the e-Migrant portal. Avoid dealing with agents who demand exorbitant fees for processing, registration, or visa charges.
If you encounter suspicious job offers or fall victim to such scams, report the matter immediately to your nearest police station. Stay vigilant to protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
