Thousands of Indians are falling victim to online scams run from Cambodia, Thailand, and Dubai — experts warn of rising “cyber slavery”.
A massive international cybercrime network is being uncovered, with investigations showing that most online scams targeting Indians are being run from Cambodia. The stolen money is first moved through Indian bank accounts, then converted into cryptocurrency and transferred overseas. Experts warn that many unemployed young Indians are being trapped with fake job offers abroad and forced to work in scam call centers — a practice now called “cyber slavery.”
Cybercrime Gangs Operating from Cambodia, Dubai, and Thailand
According to intelligence reports, cybercriminals based in Cambodia, Dubai, and Thailand are behind a series of large-scale online frauds against Indian citizens.
These groups use Indian mule bank accounts to hide their tracks and avoid detection by local authorities. Once the money enters India, it moves through six to seven layers of accounts before being turned into cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or USDT and sent to foreign crypto wallets.
“This is not just cyber fraud—it’s an organized digital industry. Foreign masterminds lure Indian youth, seize their passports, and force them into scam centers. It’s digital slavery,” said a senior cybercrime investigator.
Recent Cyber Fraud Cases Traced to Cambodia
Multiple cyber fraud cases across Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana reveal a clear link between Indian victims and scam operations in Cambodia and nearby countries.
- In Gwalior, a school official lost ₹2.52 crore in a “digital arrest” scam traced to Cambodia.
- Asha Bhatnagar, a schoolteacher, was cheated of ₹51 lakh through calls originating from Cambodia and Dubai.
- In Delhi, 78-year-old Naresh Malhotra lost ₹22.92 crore in a fake police investigation scam using AI-generated videos that looked like real police stations and courtrooms.
Cryptocurrency: The Secret Route for Moving Stolen Money
Investigations show that most stolen money is laundered through cryptocurrencies.
Fraudsters first send money to Indian mule accounts, pass it through multiple layers, and then convert it into crypto assets — making it almost impossible to track.
The Madhya Pradesh Cyber Police reported that between May 2021 and July 2025, cyber fraud losses exceeded ₹1,000 crore, while only ₹1.94 crore was recovered.
The term cyber slavery refers to the growing practice of human trafficking for online crime. Young people from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are offered fake jobs abroad. When they arrive in Cambodia or Thailand, their passports are seized, and they’re forced to work in fraud call centers that target Indian citizens. These centers specialize in scams like digital arrests, fake police calls, and phishing schemes, manipulating victims into transferring large sums of money.
Why Indian Investigators Are Struggling
Indian police and cybercrime units face major challenges tracking transnational cybercrime. Once the money leaves India, foreign masterminds remain out of reach due to legal and jurisdictional barriers. Officials say that without Interpol support and better tools for tracking crypto transactions, dismantling these global networks will remain difficult.
