Karnataka Police's Daring Gambit: Rescuing a Bengaluru Graduate from Cambodian Cyber Slavery

The promise of a high-paying job in Thailand, working for a reputed multinational company, was a dream come true for a 23-year-old B.Com graduate from Bengaluru. Little did he know, this enticing offer was merely bait in a cruel trap set by an international human trafficking syndicate. His aspirations for a bright future quickly descended into a terrifying nightmare of forced labour, captivity, and cyber slavery in the notorious fraud factories of Cambodia.

The young man, whose identity remains protected for his safety, was among countless Indians lured abroad under false pretenses.

His journey began with what seemed like a legitimate job interview, followed by an urgent demand for travel. Upon landing in Thailand, his passport was immediately confiscated. The pretense quickly shattered as he was forcibly transported across the border into Cambodia, specifically to a heavily guarded compound known for housing cyber fraud operations.

Here, his ordeal truly began.

Confined within the walls of a fortified building, the graduate was subjected to horrific conditions. He was coerced into participating in sophisticated cyber fraud schemes, primarily targeting individuals in India and other countries. His tasks included creating fake profiles on dating apps, manipulating cryptocurrency investments, and running various online scams.

Failure to meet daily targets resulted in brutal beatings, food deprivation, and other forms of physical and psychological torture. He was a prisoner, stripped of his dignity and freedom, forced to defraud his own countrymen.

His desperate pleas for help eventually reached his family back in Bengaluru.

Panic-stricken, they approached the Karnataka Police, specifically the Cybercrime wing. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary and audacious rescue operation led by senior police officers, including ADGP Alok Kumar. The challenge was immense: how to extract an Indian citizen from a foreign land, held by a ruthless criminal syndicate, without any official jurisdiction?

Traditional diplomatic channels often prove slow and ineffective in such urgent cases.

Recognizing the immediate danger, the Karnataka Police devised an ingenious, high-stakes strategy. They decided to create a powerful, credible, yet entirely fabricated threat. Posing as high-ranking officials from Interpol, the international police organization, the Karnataka Police began contacting the Cambodian cyber fraud operators directly.

The "Interpol" message was clear and stern: they had concrete evidence of illegal activities within the compound and were preparing for an imminent raid and arrests.

The fabricated threat was detailed, mentioning specific individuals and hinting at a massive international crackdown. This calculated bluff was designed to instill fear and panic among the gang leaders, compelling them to release their captives to avoid larger legal repercussions. The stakes were incredibly high – a single misstep could endanger the victim further.

The gambit paid off.

Faced with what they believed to be an impending international law enforcement operation, the cyber fraud gang leaders, eager to avoid Interpol's direct involvement, made a strategic decision. They began releasing their "employees," including the Bengaluru graduate, to avoid being caught with them. The young man was pushed out of the compound, his confiscated passport returned, and he was directed to the nearest airport.

From the moment he was released, the Karnataka Police maintained constant contact with him, guiding him through the chaotic escape.

They ensured he boarded the first available flight back to India. Upon his arrival on Indian soil, the relief was palpable, both for him and his family, who had endured weeks of agonizing uncertainty. The Karnataka Police's unconventional, yet brilliant, operation had succeeded.

This incredible rescue highlights the growing menace of human trafficking for cyber fraud, a dark industry flourishing in parts of Southeast Asia.

It also stands as a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the Karnataka Police, who went above and beyond their jurisdiction to save a citizen from modern-day slavery. While the graduate is now safely back home, his ordeal serves as a stark warning to others about the deceptive allure of easy money abroad and the hidden dangers lurking behind seemingly lucrative job offers.