The Gujarat Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) has dismantled an international cyber-slavery and human-trafficking syndicate with the arrest of its alleged mastermind, Nilesh Purohit, also known as Neel or “The Ghost.” Five of his associates, including a couple, have also been arrested. The network, operating across Southeast Asian countries, lured Indian citizens—many from Gujarat—through fake job offers promising high-paying overseas positions.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, who oversees the Home Department, said the investigation revealed that Purohit controlled a vast global trafficking network with over 126 sub-agents. “He maintained links with agents in Pakistan and had connections with more than 100 companies across multiple countries supplying manpower to cyber-fraud centres in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Purohit was detained in Gandhinagar while attempting to flee India. Other arrested associates include Hitesh Somaiya, Sonal Phaldu, Bhavdeep Jadeja, Hardeep Jadeja, and Sonal’s husband, Sanjay.
According to officials, Purohit was involved in trafficking over 500 individuals from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Benin, and Tunisia to countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Victims were lured through social media ads offering data-entry and IT jobs abroad.
Once recruited, their passports were seized, and they were trafficked through illegal border routes into Myanmar—particularly through regions near KK Park and Myawaddy Township—where they were forced into cyber-fraud operations. These activities included cryptocurrency scams, phishing, Ponzi schemes, and dating-app fraud.
Officials said Purohit earned between $2,000 and $4,500 per victim, paying his sub-agents a 30–40% cut. Payments were routed through mule bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets to evade detection.
The Deputy Chief Minister added that India, along with authorities in Thailand and Myanmar, had rescued nearly 4,000 victims, many of whom identified Purohit as the trafficker responsible for sending them abroad. A detailed investigation was launched based on their testimonies.
CCoE officials explained that teams had been analysing data, including interviews of returnees collected by central agencies like I4C. Digital forensics, field operations, technical surveillance, and intelligence analysis helped trace agents involved in funneling victims into scam compounds across Southeast Asia.
Describing the syndicate’s method, officials said agents contacted victims through social media or referrals. Once a target expressed interest, interviews were conducted, and logistics—including flights—were arranged. Victims typically travelled on tourist visas. After landing in Bangkok, armed operatives from Malaysia or China escorted them covertly into Myanmar through remote routes to the scam centres.
