Crypto scam probe by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau exposes cyber slavery racket with Chinese links
Hyderabad: In a disturbing revelation, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has uncovered how cyber slavery rackets are not only exploiting job seekers in India but also using cryptocurrency to funnel commissions to Indian middlemen from Chinese nationals operating abroad.
The investigation stems from the recent arrest of Mohammed Azeem, a Hyderabad-based travel agent, who was identified as a key figure in trafficking individuals to Cambodia under the false promise of computer operator jobs.
Victims were sent on tourist visas, which were later converted into work permits upon arrival.
According to TGCSB officials, Azeem closely coordinated with a Chinese national, referred to as 'Tank,' and other accused individuals — Hussain Bhai alias Jason Bhai, Sandeep, and Prashant — all currently believed to be residing in Cambodia.
Apart from Tank, the rest are Indian nationals working in tandem with Azeem to lure unemployed youth through social media platforms.
'Azeem booked multiple flight tickets for victims on the instructions of his Chinese handler. He maintained continuous communication through WhatsApp groups and received large commissions in cryptocurrency. The funds were credited to crypto wallets, including Binance, and later converted to Indian rupees,' TGCSB officials stated before an additional sessions judge while opposing Azeem's bail plea.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
The victims, once abroad, were handed over to Chinese operatives who confined them and forced them into cybercrime operations — a form of modern-day slavery now dubbed 'cyber slavery.' These operations spanned across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
The bureau also revealed that the Chinese handlers funded the entire logistics — including flights and hotel bookings — with crypto payments made directly to Azeem and his associates.
Azeem, however, denied the allegations, claiming he merely acted in his capacity as a travel agent.
The court recently rejected his bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the growing evidence of his deeper involvement.
The victims, once abroad, were handed over to Chinese operatives who confined them and forced them into cybercrime operations — a form of modern-day slavery
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NIA court directs protection of witnesses in Gurugram twin blasts case
1 2 Chandigarh: The special NIA court for Haryana in Panchkula has directed the police and central agencies to ensure the protection of six key witnesses named in the chargesheet filed by the investigative agency in connection with the twin blasts outside two nightclubs in Gurugram on Dec 24 last year. While directing the investigating agencies and law enforcement authorities to ensure the protection of witnesses, the NIA court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Rajiv Goyal, also directed the protection of relevant and crucial documents containing statements and details of witnesses. Notably, on Friday, NIA filed a voluminous chargesheet before the NIA court. While filing the chargesheet, the agency termed the incident as part of a plot to create terror as operations of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) group and indicted Goldy Brar, the Canada-based gangster and terrorist, and US-based Randeep Singh, aka Randeep Malik, as accused in the case. According to the chargesheet, the group is alleged to be involved in fundraising through extortions and other illicit means, procurement of explosives and weapons to create terror, and other anti-national activities. Notably, while filing the chargesheet, NIA also moved an application for the safety and security of witnesses as protected ones. Acceding to the request by the agency, the court allowed the application and fixed July 1 as the next date of hearing for resuming discussion on the framing of charges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 이 게임은 쉽고 무료로 플레이할 수 있지만 잊기 어렵습니다 레이드 섀도우 레전드 Undo The investigating agency, while going through the details, indicted the gangsters Goldy Brar and Ranbir. The court also extended the judicial remand of Sachin Taliya and Ankit Kumar, who are currently lodged in jail. It may be recalled that the incident dates to Dec 24 last year when Gurugram saw two blasts by crude bombs outside the nightclubs - The Warehouse Club and The Human Club. Though no major injury was reported, the incident created terror in the area. Initially, the investigations were carried out by Gurugram Police, but later investigations were taken over by NIA. A total of three persons, namely Sahil Taliyan, Ankit, and Bhawish, were arrested, and in due course, the names of Goldy Brar and Randeep Malik cropped up, who are operating from Canada and the US, respectively.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Russian intelligence document calls China ‘the enemy', leak exposes Moscow's deep fear
A leaked internal document from Russia's powerful Federal Security Service (FSB) reveals growing distrust toward China, with the agency branding Beijing as 'the enemy' in an eight-page planning document obtained by The New York Times. The document, reportedly authored by a previously undisclosed FSB unit, warns that China poses a serious and expanding threat to Russian national security. China is increasingly trying to recruit Russian scientists and intelligence officers, the document states, adding that Beijing is aggressively targeting 'dissatisfied individuals" with access to sensitive military and technological information. FSB officers claim that Chinese agents are actively monitoring Russian military operations in Ukraine. Their aim, according to the document, is to analyse Western-supplied weapons and learn modern warfare techniques. 'Chinese intelligence conducts espionage in the Arctic using mining companies and university research centers as cover,' the report alleges, raising alarms over Beijing's dual-use civilian infrastructure and scientific engagement. The document also expresses concern that China could be laying groundwork to eventually challenge Russian territorial claims, particularly in sparsely populated and strategically significant regions near their shared border. Strikingly, just three days before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the FSB launched a new counterintelligence program titled Entente-4—a name seen as a pointed irony, given Moscow's public embrace of Beijing. The report notes that with most of Russia's espionage resources focused on Ukraine, the FSB feared China might take advantage of the shift. The timing was likely not accidental. Since 2022, the FSB says it has documented a sharp increase in Chinese efforts to infiltrate Russian institutions. In response, Russian officers were directed to hold face-to-face meetings with Russian citizens cooperating closely with China. They were instructed to eliminate the threat and prevent the transfer of critical information, the document states, adding, Beijing seeks to exploit Russia and gain access to advanced scientific research. The report further reveals a climate of deep mutual suspicion between the two powers. Chinese intelligence reportedly monitors returning operatives using polygraph tests and controls over 20,000 Russian students currently in China. The FSB warns that Chinese agents often seek out Russians married to Chinese citizens for potential recruitment. The goal: to penetrate Russia's state institutions through trusted, vulnerable personal connections. Though Russia and China have publicly declared a 'no limits' partnership, the FSB document reveals a behind-the-scenes intelligence struggle. It describes a 'tense and dynamically developing intelligence battle in the shadows between the two outwardly friendly nations.' While the document is undated, clues suggest, as per the news report, it was likely drafted in late 2023 or early 2024, underscoring the ongoing strain in bilateral ties despite surface-level cooperation.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: Loss of young lives in stampede dents Karnataka government's image
Bengaluru: The June 5 tragedy, in which the lives of 11 youngsters were snuffed at the gates of M Chinnaswamy Stadium, has severely dented the image of the Congress govt, which had, in fact, been running high on women and young voters in the state. The fact that the 11 victims were primarily youths, including teens, has placed the govt in an 'indefensible' position. "At the cabinet meeting, it was decided that the govt won't defend the administrative lapses in controlling the crowd or executing a hurriedly put-together victory event for RCB. The demographic of the victims alone pushes us into a corner, and we can't come out swinging. With damning visuals of our govt and our families taking selfies with Virat Kohli, there's nothing we can defend. Apologise, roll heads, and move on," said one cabinet minister. In fact, it is claimed the entire series of events, strung together, can even suggest a "conspiracy theory," further creating headaches for the govt. "The IAS-IPS tussle, the CMO top bureaucrat resigning, the political secretary's dismissal, dismissal of the top cop, all of them happening overnight seriously damages our credibility," said another govt personnel, admitting the issue may not die down anytime soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Dermatologist: Don't Use Lotions On Dark Spots! Use This Household Item Instead Miami M.D. Undo Meanwhile, the BJP has used the administrative lapse to target chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar as being culpable for the deaths. "The CM and DCM completely failed the state, and it is a continuation of the rising law-and-order crisis in the state. It is a major mishap which happened under their watch, and the govt needs to be held accountable," said former DCM and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan. However, IT-BT and RDPR minister Priyank Kharge said only the fact that this was an "avoidable" tragedy makes it a law-and-order example. "We can't relate a crime misdemeanour with a stampede of this scale. This is unprecedented. It's like a Cricket Kumbh Mela. The social media frenzy, KSCA and RCB random message... It isn't a law and order situation as such. I think all the institutions, whether it is the govt, KSCA, RCB or RCB fans, could have been more responsible and done something better on that fateful day," he said.
