Transnational racket of unemployed locals recruited, pushed into cyber scam abroad busted in Kashmir

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A transnational racket of unemployed locals recruited and pushed into cyber scam operations abroad surfaced on Thursday during searches conducted by the J&K Police’s special cell, State Investigation Agency (SIA), in south Kashmir’s Kulgam. 

Preliminary investigation has brought to light an alleged modus operandi of local facilitators in coordination with foreign-based handlers luring vulnerable and unemployed youth with offers of employment abroad, the SIA said. “The victims were allegedly moved through Thailand to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar, where they were subsequently subjected to exploitation and allegedly compelled to participate in cyber scam operations,” the SIA said.

The police said the emerging dimensions of the case indicate the involvement of a transnational chain extending across jurisdictions, involving recruitment, movement, facilitation and exploitation of victims. “The investigation is accordingly being pursued to identify the complete network, its local and overseas linkages, and the financial and logistical channels allegedly supporting its operations,” the police said. 

The J&K Police’s special cell has sought cooperation from national agencies and international partners to investigate it.

The teams of SIA conducted searches at the residential premises of Gulam Nabi Khanday alias Charlie alias Mohsin alias Jerry Khan, a resident of Bungam Chewgam, Kulgam, and Ashiq Hussain Sheikh, a resident of Baghpora Yar Khushipora, Qazigund.

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

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

“The digital and documentary material seized during the searches will be subjected to detailed examination to establish further linkages, communication channels, financial transactions, recruitment mechanisms and other evidence relevant to the investigation,” the SIA said.

Meanwhile, the J&K Police in Srinagar claimed that it arrested eight people and unearthed a structured narcotics network involved in the procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, with linkages extending beyond the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

“One of the accused, Haris Hameed Malla, was traced through technical surveillance and apprehended by Srinagar Police from Bengaluru, Karnataka. Investigation into the individual roles and linkages of the accused is continuing,” the police said.

The police said the searches resulted in recovery of approximately ₹65 lakh in cash, besides gold coins, biscuits and other gold articles. “The approximate value of the locker recovery has been assessed at around ₹2.20 crore,” the police said. One residential house and two vehicles have been attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act, the police added.

“The source of funds, transaction trail and associated financial linkages are under detailed examination,” the police said.

The police said investigation revealed that the sources of the pharmaceutical drugs were in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala. “Digital devices recovered during investigation are being analysed to establish the complete procurement, transportation, distribution and financial chain. The investigation remains active and evidence-driven. Further arrests, recoveries, freezing/attachment of assets and other legal action may follow on the basis of evidence emerging during investigation,” the police said.

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