Nampally court: Mumbai woman behind Cambodian cyber scam denied bail
Nampally: The lady behind the jobseekers’ shattered dreams and getting trapped in Cambodia’s cyber scam industry was denied bail by the Nampally court. She was arrested by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB).
On 13 September 2024, TGCSB arrested thirty-year-old Priyanka Shivkumar Siddu from Chembur, Mumbai, in connection with a complex human trafficking and cyber offense. The case, spanning multiple countries and involving job seekers’ exploitation, has drawn the attention of several governmental agencies.
Priyanka, a former employee of the licensed overseas job processing agency Maxwell, allegedly used her experience to start her own unlicensed recruitment operation. According to TGCSB officials, she lured potential job seekers with promises of high-paying positions abroad, particularly in Cambodia. Priyanka colluded with Narayana, who operated a similar agency in Mumbai. Narayana travelled to Cambodia and informed her about data entry job opportunities, introducing her to Jithender Shah alias Amer Khan, the director of a Chinese-owned company Zhan Zei in Cambodia.
Subsequently, Priyanka visited Cambodia to confirm details and was offered $500 commission for each candidate.Upon returning to India, she processed visas for her sister’s son Akshay Vaidhya and his friend Danish Khan, the first two candidates sent to Cambodia.
Human Trafficking ring exposed
The case took a dark turn when it was revealed that upon arriving in Cambodia, the job seekers were subjected to long hours of travel and were informed their actual work involved cybercrimes. Those who refused to participate reportedly faced severe physical and mental torture.
Priyanka’s modus operandi involved advertising high-paying jobs in Cambodia through newspapers and social media. She allegedly collected Rs 30,000 as commission for each candidate, processed their visas, and sent them abroad. The case raised serious questions about Indian nationals being exploited in foreign countries for online fraud.
During the bail hearing, Priyanka’s counsel argued she was falsely implicated and the sole provider for her family. However, the prosecution contended she played a prominent role in the offence and that her release could impede the ongoing investigation. The additional public prosecutor argued, “As one of the accused is still absconding, if Priyanka Shivkumar Siddu is released on bail, she may influence witnesses, thereby cause obstacles in the investigation process and may commit some more offences and thus sought to dismiss the application.”
The court denied bail due to the gravity of the allegations and the pending investigation. The judge noted, “The allegations levelled against Priyanka are very grave and they show that she has sent several Indian youngsters abroad to commit cyber frauds and that those persons were incarcerated in those countries and compelled to commit cyber frauds.”
The case involved “very serious human trafficking and cyber offense” and several government agencies probing Priyanka’s role. As one of the accused is still absconding and the investigation is pending. Considering these factors, the court held “it is not a fit case to enlarge Priyanka on bail.”
