Police have retrieved and released Lizo's photo and are initiating an international identification process via the BharatPol Portal. This development exposes the transnational roots of a racket involving human trafficking, torture, and cross-border scams targeting Indians.
Trafficked and Tortured: Victims Forced to Run Scams
The investigation deepened with the recent arrests of Saurabh Singh (from Vapi, Gujarat) and Patras Kumar alias Kelis (from Firozpur, Punjab), bringing the total arrests to 19. Their testimonies revealed a harrowing reality. They were lured with fake data-entry job offers in Thailand but were instead trafficked to Laos.
Once there, they were held hostage and forced to run cyber scams. Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya stated, “The accused informed us that they were held hostage, made to work up to 18 hours a day, and tortured for failing targets or making errors. They were kept in dark rooms with hands and legs tied, given electric shocks, and punished with forced physical tasks.”
Police confirmed that Saurabh is among the Indians recently rescued by the Indian Embassy from scam centres in Laos’s Bokeo province.
Corporate-Style Cybercrime Hierarchy with Chinese Handlers
The accused detailed a sophisticated, corporate-style operational structure in Laos, controlled by Chinese handlers:
1. Finders: Identify vulnerable targets on social media and dating apps.
2. Chatters: Build emotional relationships with victims to lure them into traps.
3. Team Leaders: Supervise the chatters and manage the fraud process.
4. Directors: Oversee multiple teams and operations.
5. Boss/Handler: The top-tier controller, with one identified as the Chinese national Lizo.
SIM Cards Smuggled to Laos to Mask Scam Operations
A key tactic of the network was to smuggle Indian SIM cards to Laos. Before being trafficked, the accused procured over 350 SIMs using forged identities. These SIMs were sent to Laos, allowing scammers to call Indian victims while appearing to have domestic phone numbers, thus avoiding suspicion.
The Indore Digital Arrest Fraud Case
The investigation began when a 59-year-old Indore woman was targeted by scammers posing as CBI, ED, RBI, and police officials via Skype and WhatsApp video calls. She was falsely accused of money laundering and threatened with a “digital arrest.” Under the guise of verification, the fraudsters gained access to her bank accounts and siphoned off Rs 1.60 crore.
Wide-Ranging Network Across Multiple States
The crackdown has revealed a sprawling recruitment network across India, with arrests made in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos is identified as the principal command hub for these cross-border cybercrimes.
Cyber Forensics Deep Dive Underway
Indore Police, in coordination with central agencies, are conducting an intensive cyber forensics analysis of seized devices. They are mapping the money trail, communication with foreign handlers, and searching for digital evidence like torture videos to corroborate the victims' accounts. A special team is working to dismantle the entire international network operating from Laos.
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