Two Arrested in Delhi for Trafficking Youths to Myanmar Scam Centres

PTI, 22 November, 2025, New Delhi: The Delhi Police have arrested two men, Danish Raja and Harsh, for allegedly recruiting and trafficking Indian youths to Myanmar, where they were coerced into committing cyber-fraud targeting US nationals. The arrests follow the rescue of hundreds of Indians from scam compounds in Myanmar, revealing a transnational syndicate involved in forcing individuals into these operations under conditions described as “cyber-slavery.”

The arrested individuals, Danish Raja, 24, a resident of Bawana, Delhi, and Harsh, 30, from Faridabad, were taken into custody on Friday, according to police officials.

The case came to light after Myanmar's military authorities raided a large-scale scam compound in Myawaddy on October 22, rescuing several Indian nationals who had been confined within the complex. The raid uncovered that the victims had been coerced into working in cyber-fraud operations, specifically targeting US nationals.

Since the raid, nearly 300 Indians from various states have been repatriated. These individuals were reportedly lured into these operations under false pretenses and were forced into committing fraudulent activities. The term "cyber-slavery" is used to describe the trafficking of individuals who are deceived by fake job offers and then coerced into engaging in organized cyber-fraud activities, either through physical or psychological manipulation.

The Delhi Police coordinated with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to examine the repatriated victims, and legal action was initiated based on their testimonies. One of the victims, Imtiyaz Babu, a resident of Bawana, filed a complaint stating that he was promised a high-paying data-entry job abroad. However, after being trafficked via Kolkata, Bangkok, and Myawaddy, he was confined and assaulted at a location in Myanmar, known as KK Park, where he was forced to participate in cyber-fraud targeting US citizens. Armed guards reportedly oversaw the operations to prevent the victims from escaping.

Following Imtiyaz Babu’s complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on November 20, under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code) and the Immigration Act.

Investigations based on leads from the deported victims led to the arrest of Danish Raja. During questioning, Raja allegedly admitted his involvement in the Myanmar scam networks and confessed to continuing recruitment activities in India even after he was deported from Myanmar in March 2025.

The ongoing investigation has revealed the complex and evolving tactics employed by the transnational cybercrime syndicates, which involve illegal cross-border routes, multiple vehicle transfers under armed escort, and the use of intimidation to operate large scam centres in Myanmar.

The police recovered two mobile phones from the accused, containing incriminating chats and communication with foreign handlers. Digital forensic analysis of the devices is underway.

Authorities are also working to trace the financial transactions linked to the scam and identify other recruiters in the syndicate, with further arrests expected as the investigation continues.