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Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Indian Express
Malad youth forced to work in cyber scam call centres in Myanmar; three booked
Mumbai Police on Sunday booked three members of an international cyber scam gang who lured a Mumbai youth to come to Thailand for a job and later illegally took him to Myanmar and forced him to work at an illegal Chinese-run call centre from where innocent people from across the world were trapped in 'romance cybercrime' on social media platforms, and defrauded and extorted. To release the victim and his friend, the gang members also extorted $1000 from them. The complainant, Mohammed Asif Ali Shaikh, 24, is a resident of the Malwani area in Malad (West), who has filed a police complaint against Mark Melvin and two others. Shaikh, in his complaint to the Malwani police, said that in July 2024, Melvin, who came in contact with the accused via a friend, told him that there is a job vacancy in a company in Thailand. After Shaikh showed interest, Melvin lined up Shaikh's interview over a video call with a Chinese-looking national. Shaikh was told that he cleared the interview and that he was selected for the job in Thailand and his monthly salary would be nearly Rs 75,000. Later, air tickets were also sent to him. No visa, crossed border via road, sea route On July 25, 2024, Shaikh landed at the Swarnabhoomi International Airport, Thailand. But as he did not have a visa, the gang members picked him up from the airport and took him to KK Park in Myawaddy Township, Myanmar, via road and sea routes. There, Shaikh was dropped at a place where Melvin was present. As per Shaikh's complaint, Melvin told him that he has got a job as a chat executive at the X Max company. In this job the employees were made to send friend requests on Facebook to rich people, entrap them in love relationships, and then induce them into investing money in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and extract money from the gullible people, Shaikh stated in the FIR. 'These call centres were run by the Chinese 'gangsters.' When any employee refused to do the illegal work, they would be beaten, not provided food and water for days and would be confined in a room,' Shaikh said. Electric shocks, assaults to victims 'I have seen the Chinese operators of the call centre giving electric shocks to those who refused to work in their call centres. This included citizens from the Philippines as well,' Shaikh told The Indian Express. They wanted us to sign an agreement for a year, to which I refused, saying my marriage is scheduled after six months. Hence, they dumped me, he added. To release Shaikh and his friend Mehraj, the accused gang members demanded $3000 from them. After Mehraj somehow managed to pay $1000 to their 'company boss', the two were released, the police complaint said. 'Was in prison for 15 days' 'We two, along with a Pakistani national, were randomly thrown on the road near the Myanmar-Thailand border. We walked for nearly five kilometres before reaching the border. After bribing people, we somehow managed to land in Thailand, where immigration authorities detained me and Mehraj and kept us behind bars for nearly 15 days and then deported us back in November 2024,' Shaikh said. He added, 'We somehow managed to get out from hell, or else we would have died. My family were so disturbed when they found out the atrocities I was facing. My father's health deteriorated. Since I am the eldest among my siblings, I was desperate for a job. But my family's prayers worked, and my life was saved. 'On the police's instructions, I gathered all the details, evidence of travel, transactions, etc. in the past six months. Eventually my police complaint was lodged and cops expedited the investigation,' he said. He is now employed with a private company and is scheduled to get married in December this year. A senior police officer cofirmed the development and said that the accused person Marvel is from Malvani area. 'There was a delay from the victim's family and relatives in reporting the matter to the police. But, now that we have received the complaint, we are probing the matter,' the senior officer said. On Shaikh's complaint, the police have booked Melvin and two others under sections 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 127(4) (wrongful confinement for three or more days) 143 (trafficking of person), 308 (extortion), 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and are further investigating the matter. 60 rescued from cyber slavery in Myanmar last month: The Maharashtra State Cyber Police last month rescued more than 60 Indian nationals who were forced into cyber slavery in Myanmar. The racket members lured the victims through social media platforms and offered them high-paying jobs in Thailand and other East Asian countries, he said. Maharashtra Cyber police registered three FIRs and arrested five individuals including a foreign national.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- India Gazette
Odisha Cyber Police bust fake VIP trading cccount Scam, arrest key accused
Cuttack (Odisha) [India], May 19 (ANI): The Odisha Cyber Police under UPD Cuttack has achieved a significant breakthrough against cybercrime by busting an online fraud case involving a fake 'VIP trading account' scam. The police arrested one person in connection with the case. According to DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, 'A case was registered in the Cyber Police Station in Cuttack UPD. The victim was from Balasore. He got a link on Telegram for VIP tempted by this, he transferred around 7,68,000 six times in November-December the person who contacted the victim stopped contacting the victim filed a complaint'. Bhadrak police apprehended the accused and recovered several items, including many cheques, 12 ATM cards, 5 SIM cards, and multiple mobile phones. The police further seized 2,30,000 rupees. ' I would like to appeal to the people to avoid investing in trading accounts and be cautious of such frauds' said DCP Khilari Rishikesh(ANI). The investigation highlights the growing concerns over cybercrime in the region, and authorities are urging people to be cautious when investing online. The police are continuing their investigation and working to uncover more details about the scam. Further investigation is underway. Meanwhile in Gujarat, in the past 15 days, cybercrime teams of Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara, along with the State Cyber Crime Cell, have solved 12 major cases and arrested individuals involved in Chinese cyber gangs and digital arrest frauds. On May 16, 2025, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch arrested six members of a Chinese-run cybercrime gang operating from Cambodia and Nepal. They had hacked the ICICI Bank account of one Pranay Bhavsar, conducting transactions worth Rs48.85 lakh, and kept him captive in a Nepal hotel for six days, committing crimes like digital arrest, investment fraud, and Telegram task fraud. Over 200 complaints are registered against the accused on the NCCRP portal. In another case dated May 14, 2025, Janak Bhalala and Bhavesh Borad were arrested in Surat for defrauding a woman of Rs14.94 lakh through digital arrest by impersonating Mumbai Cyber Crime officials. Dilip Jagani, involved in seven cyber fraud cases including fake documents and scams, was also arrested. He collaborated with Cambodian-Chinese nationals from Nepal to launder money through bank accounts. (ANI)
Fashion Network
16-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Valentino Bags Lab faces judicial oversight amid labor violations probe
A Milan court has placed Valentino Bags Lab Srl—maker of handbags and travel accessories for Italian fashion house Valentino SpA—under judicial administration, following allegations that the company failed to monitor its suppliers. These suppliers reportedly subcontracted production to Chinese-owned workshops accused of exploiting workers and violating Italian labor laws. The court imposed a one-year judicial oversight period but confirmed it would end sooner if Valentino Bags Lab aligns its operations with legal standards. Authorities have not filed any criminal charges against the company. In its ruling, the court stated that the company 'culpably failed' to oversee its subcontractors in pursuit of higher profit margins. Investigators found that Valentino Bags Lab did not assess the actual production capacity of its suppliers or verify working conditions. The Carabinieri's labor protection unit conducted the investigation, with public prosecutor Paolo Storari coordinating the effort. Between March and December 2024, law enforcement officers inspected seven Chinese-run workshops near Milan—including one previously linked to a Dior case. They found 67 workers across these sites, including nine unregistered individuals and three undocumented immigrants. The ruling stated that workshop operators forced workers to sleep on-site and kept them available for round-the-clock production, including public holidays. Power usage data showed continuous day-night cycles, and operators had allegedly removed safety devices from machinery to boost output. Since 2018, one of the suppliers, Bags Milano Srl, has worked exclusively for Valentino Bags Lab, producing about 4,000 bags per month at costs ranging from €35 to €75 ($39.20–$84). Two judicial sources reported that retailers later sold the same items for €1,900 to €2,200. Bags Milano's owner allegedly outsourced additional work to other Chinese-operated workshops. Authorities are now investigating the owners of both the primary and secondary firms for labor exploitation and illegal employment practices. The court noted that Valentino Bags Lab 'continued working with suppliers who exploit workers and breach safety standards,' even after similar practices received media coverage involving other major fashion houses. This case marks the fourth time Milan's judiciary has targeted a fashion company since December 2023. Officials previously took action against the Italian operations of Dior (LVMH), Armani, and Alviero Martini SpA. In those instances, the court lifted judicial supervision before the companies implemented corrective measures. In 2023, French luxury conglomerate Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, with an option to acquire full ownership by 2028. The Milan court is now calling for broader reforms, urging luxury brands to enhance supply chain oversight and ensure compliance with labor laws. According to consultancy Bain & Company, Italy accounts for 50% to 55% of global luxury goods production, which is driven by networks of small, subcontracted manufacturers.
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Valentino Bags Lab faces judicial oversight amid labor violations probe
Between March and December 2024, law enforcement officers inspected seven Chinese-run workshops near Milan—including one previously linked to a Dior case. They found 67 workers across these sites, including nine unregistered individuals and three undocumented immigrants. The ruling stated that workshop operators forced workers to sleep on-site and kept them available for round-the-clock production, including public holidays. Power usage data showed continuous day-night cycles, and operators had allegedly removed safety devices from machinery to boost output. Since 2018, one of the suppliers, Bags Milano Srl, has worked exclusively for Valentino Bags Lab, producing about 4,000 bags per month at costs ranging from €35 to €75 ($39.20–$84). Two judicial sources reported that retailers later sold the same items for €1,900 to €2,200. Bags Milano's owner allegedly outsourced additional work to other Chinese-operated workshops. Authorities are now investigating the owners of both the primary and secondary firms for labor exploitation and illegal employment practices. The court noted that Valentino Bags Lab 'continued working with suppliers who exploit workers and breach safety standards,' even after similar practices received media coverage involving other major fashion houses. This case marks the fourth time Milan's judiciary has targeted a fashion company since December 2023. Officials previously took action against the Italian operations of Dior (LVMH), Armani, and Alviero Martini SpA. In those instances, the court lifted judicial supervision before the companies implemented corrective measures. In 2023, French luxury conglomerate Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, with an option to acquire full ownership by 2028. The Milan court is now calling for broader reforms, urging luxury brands to enhance supply chain oversight and ensure compliance with labor laws. According to consultancy Bain & Company, Italy accounts for 50% to 55% of global luxury goods production, which is driven by networks of small, subcontracted manufacturers.
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Valentino Bags Lab faces judicial oversight amid labor violations probe
A Milan court has placed Valentino Bags Lab Srl—maker of handbags and travel accessories for Italian fashion house Valentino SpA—under judicial administration, following allegations that the company failed to monitor its suppliers. These suppliers reportedly subcontracted production to Chinese-owned workshops accused of exploiting workers and violating Italian labor laws. The court imposed a one-year judicial oversight period but confirmed it would end sooner if Valentino Bags Lab aligns its operations with legal standards. Authorities have not filed any criminal charges against the company. In its ruling, the court stated that the company 'culpably failed' to oversee its subcontractors in pursuit of higher profit margins. Investigators found that Valentino Bags Lab did not assess the actual production capacity of its suppliers or verify working conditions. The Carabinieri's labor protection unit conducted the investigation, with public prosecutor Paolo Storari coordinating the effort. Between March and December 2024, law enforcement officers inspected seven Chinese-run workshops near Milan—including one previously linked to a Dior case. They found 67 workers across these sites, including nine unregistered individuals and three undocumented immigrants. The ruling stated that workshop operators forced workers to sleep on-site and kept them available for round-the-clock production, including public holidays. Power usage data showed continuous day-night cycles, and operators had allegedly removed safety devices from machinery to boost output. Since 2018, one of the suppliers, Bags Milano Srl, has worked exclusively for Valentino Bags Lab, producing about 4,000 bags per month at costs ranging from €35 to €75 ($39.20–$84). Two judicial sources reported that retailers later sold the same items for €1,900 to €2,200. Bags Milano's owner allegedly outsourced additional work to other Chinese-operated workshops. Authorities are now investigating the owners of both the primary and secondary firms for labor exploitation and illegal employment practices. The court noted that Valentino Bags Lab 'continued working with suppliers who exploit workers and breach safety standards,' even after similar practices received media coverage involving other major fashion houses. This case marks the fourth time Milan's judiciary has targeted a fashion company since December 2023. Officials previously took action against the Italian operations of Dior (LVMH), Armani, and Alviero Martini SpA. In those instances, the court lifted judicial supervision before the companies implemented corrective measures. In 2023, French luxury conglomerate Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, with an option to acquire full ownership by 2028. The Milan court is now calling for broader reforms, urging luxury brands to enhance supply chain oversight and ensure compliance with labor laws. According to consultancy Bain & Company, Italy accounts for 50% to 55% of global luxury goods production, which is driven by networks of small, subcontracted manufacturers.
