“An organised international syndicate lures these individuals through false promises of high-paying jobs and attractive employment opportunities abroad,” said the CBI, adding that once taken out of India, they are diverted to Myanmar, where they are wrongfully confined and coerced into participating in large-scale cyber fraud operations, including digital arrest scams, investment scams, and romance frauds targeting people globally, including Indian citizens.

Those trafficked are subjected to intimidation, confinement, and physical abuse, and are forced to engage in illegal cybercrime activities against their will. These victims are commonly referred to as “cyber slaves.”

The KK Park centre is a major cybercrime hub operating on the outskirts of the border city of Myawaddy. In mid-October this year, Myanmar's army raided the compound and rescued more than 1,500 people from 28 countries.

The rescued individuals were taken to the Thailand border town of Mae Sot. Out of the total, 465 people were from India. Other nationalities included Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, Ethiopians, and Kenyans. All of them were made cyber slaves.

The Indian government brought back the rescued citizens, and through their questioning, the authorities have been able to identify and arrest several middlemen and agents involved in the trafficking network.