Mumbai’s South Cyber Police Station officials have arrested 28-year-old Salman Munir Sheikh, accused of trafficking Indian job seekers to Southeast Asia and forcing them into cyber slavery.
Sheikh was apprehended on Wednesday from Nayanagar, Mira Road, after a months-long manhunt. According to police, he lured young Indians with promises of high-paying overseas jobs but handed them over to Chinese syndicates operating fake call centers in Laos.
The case emerged in August 2024 when a resident of Antop Hill reported contacting Sheikh via LinkedIn while searching for a data entry job. Sheikh promised a job in Thailand with a salary of Rs 70,000 per month. The complainant and a friend paid Rs 30,000 each for visas and tickets.
On February 9, 2024, Sheikh accompanied the group to Bangkok. Alongside a Chinese woman, he transported five recruits across the border into Laos, where their passports were confiscated, and they were forced to conduct online scams and extortions through WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
“They were held captive and told to pay 20,000 Chinese Yuan (about Rs 2.3 lakh) as ransom for release. When one couldn’t pay, Sheikh allegedly trafficked two more Indians in exchange for their freedom,” said a senior police official.
One victim managed to return to India and filed a complaint. Following confidential tips, police traced and arrested Sheikh in Mira Road. Investigators also revealed Sheikh had changed his passport address, possibly to avoid arrest.
Authorities caution job seekers to be wary of overseas job offers, especially for Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. They warn against trusting social media ads and advise verifying recruitment agents’ authenticity.
“Be cautious if offered only tourist visas or visas on arrival, as these are common in cyber slavery scams,” officials advised.
