NIA chargesheets CEO of Laos-based company in alleged human trafficking case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charge-sheeted the chief executive officer (CEO) of Long Sheng Company, a Laos-based company, in a high-profile human trafficking and cyber fraud case with an international footprint, NIA officials confirmed on Tuesday.
One of the accused in the case, identified as Sudarshan Darade, was arrested by NIA, Mumbai, in June this year. He has been named in the chargesheet as a key culprit in the case.
According to the anti-terror agency, Darade is the sixth accused to be charge-sheeted in the case. The other two accused, identified as Jerry Jacob and Godfrey Alvares, have also been arrested.
As per the NIA's statement, a large amount of incriminating material has been recovered from Darade's mobile phones.
The agency is also reportedly following up on the information to get leads on certain absconders. "Darade has also revealed details to NIA regarding another wanted accused, Sunny Gonsalves, as well as foreign nationals Niu Niu and Elvis Du, who are still absconding," said the NIA.
NIA revealed that Darade's company, Long Sheng, is based in Bokeo province of Laos PDR, and was actively involved in a racket relating to the trafficking of youth to the Golden Triangle Laos PDR via Bangkok on the pretext of job offers.
"The company would conduct WhatsApp interviews and send appointment letters to the youth, who, on reaching the destination, were forced to commit online cryptocurrency frauds. On Darade's instructions, Jacob would arrange for the transportation of the Indian youth to the Golden Triangle Laos," said the anti-terror agency.
"Shocking details of the investigation show that refusal by the trafficked youth to engage in the cyber fraud in the Golden Triangle led to starvation and lashing in locked rooms. Some youth were even given electric shocks if they failed to meet their targets of befriending prospective victims on social media," the statement by the agency added.
NIA further said that it is in constant touch with the identified and rescued alleged victims to gather information about others involved in the racket. The agency is additionally also spreading awareness among the youth about the dangers of engaging with unverified international companies for employment.