Transnational racket of local unemployed recruited, pushed into cyber scam abroad arrested in Kashmir

Transnational extortion of unemployed locals recruited and pushed into cyber fraud operations abroad came to light during searches conducted by the J&K Police’s special cell, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), in south Kashmir’s Kulgam on Thursday.

Preliminary investigations revealed the alleged modus operandi of local facilitators in coordination with foreign manipulators who lure vulnerable and unemployed youth with job offers abroad, SIA said. “The victims were allegedly moved via Thailand to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar, where they were subsequently subjected to exploitation and allegedly forced to participate in cyber fraud operations,” SIA said.

Police said the emerging dimensions of the case indicated the involvement of a transnational chain spanning multiple jurisdictions, including the recruitment, movement, facilitation and exploitation of victims. “Investigations are therefore being conducted to identify the complete network, its local and overseas links and the financial and logistical channels that allegedly support its operations,” police said.

The Special Cell of the J&K Police has asked national agencies and international partners to cooperate in the investigation.

SIA teams conducted searches at the residential premises of Gulam Nabi Khanday alias Charlie alias Mohsin alias Jerry Khan.

The operation was conducted in FIR No. 01/2026 of SIA Police Station, Kashmir. During the searches, SIA seized incriminating material, including mobile phones, identity documents, PAN cards, passport and employment agreements “which are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation”.

The SIA said the ongoing operation was aimed at breaking up the wider network, establishing the role of each person involved and uncovering the mechanisms through which victims were recruited, transported and exploited.

“Digital and documentary material seized during the searches will be subjected to detailed examination to identify other links, communication channels, financial transactions, recruitment mechanisms and other evidence relevant to the investigation,” the SIA said.

Meanwhile, the J&K police in Srinagar claimed to have arrested eight people and uncovered a structured narcotics network involved in procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, with links extending beyond the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“One of the accused, Haris Hameed Malla, was traced through technical surveillance and arrested by the Srinagar Police from Bengaluru, Karnataka. Investigation into the respective roles and links of the accused is on,” the police said.

Police said the searches resulted in the recovery of around ₹65 million in cash, besides gold coins, crackers and other gold items. “The approximate recovery value of the locker was estimated to be around ₹ 2.20 crore,” the police said. One residential house and two vehicles are attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act, the police added.

“The source of the funds, the transaction trail and the related financial links are being investigated in detail,” the police said.

Police said investigations revealed that the sources of the pharmaceutical drugs were in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala. “Digital devices obtained during the investigation are being analyzed to determine the complete purchase, transportation, distribution and financial chain. The investigation remains active and evidence-based. Additional arrests, enforcement, asset freezes/freezes and other legal actions may follow based on evidence that emerges during the investigation,” police said.

Published – October 2, 2026 12:49 PM IST