NIA Charges Chinese-Linked Human Trafficking Racket

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against two individuals linked to an organized human-trafficking operation involving Chinese companies in Laos. Social-media influencer Balwant Kataria was arrested, while associate Ankit Shokeen remains at large. Victims were deceived, transported, and forced into cyber frauds under harsh conditions.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday filed a chargesheet against two accused in an organized human-trafficking case involving Chinese companies based in the 'Golden Triangle SEZ, Laos'.

The chargesheet, filed before the Special NIA Court in Haryana's Panchkula, revealed that accused Balwant alias Bobby Kataria, a social-media influencer, has been arrested, while his associate Ankit Shokeen, currently based in Laos, is absconding, according to a release issued by the investigating agency.

NIA's investigations indicate both accused, along with others, recruited and transported innocent jobseekers using deception and false inducements. The victims were handed over to Chinese companies in Laos, where they were forced to carry out cyber frauds and scams under harsh and restrictive conditions.

The Chinese companies reportedly confiscated the victims' passports and subjected them to physical and mental torture if they did not perform the cyber frauds. The conspiracy was allegedly orchestrated by Kataria, Shokeen, and others, who incorporated MBK Global Visa Private Limited, a visa consultancy. Leveraging his popularity, Kataria attracted young job-seekers with promises of lucrative jobs in countries like Singapore. However, after taking advance payments, he would persuade the victims to go to Laos.

Many victims were rescued from the fraudsters' clutches through joint efforts of the Indian embassy in Laos and local law enforcement agencies. Investigations are ongoing to identify other culprits and dismantle the syndicate.

(With inputs from agencies.)