New Delhi: Notorious human trafficker Kamran Haider, who forced many young men from India to commit cyber crimes through fake call centres on the promise of getting them jobs abroad, has been arrested from Hyderabad by Delhi Police’s special cell after a 2,500km chase. A resident of Jasola, the man carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh from NIA. Haider’s operation involved a sophisticated network of traffickers and touts, and he was also involved in extorting money from victims through cryptocurrency wallets, cops said.
He was arrested near Nampally Railway Station in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Police said the modus operandi of Haider’s illicit empire involved duping vulnerable Indian youth with promises of lucrative employment opportunities in Thailand and Laos. “Once in these countries, the victims were coerced into working in fake call centres, perpetrating cyber scams that targeted European and American citizens. Haider’s operation was characterised by a sophisticated network of traffickers and touts, who facilitated various illicit activities,” police said.
The case against Haider was registered in New Friends Colony police station in May.
The National Investigation Agency took over the case and announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to Haider’s arrest. “NIA investigation revealed that accused Manjoor Alam, Sahil, Ashish, Pawan Yadav along with key conspirator Haider was involved in trafficking vulnerable Indian youths to Golden Triangle Region in Laos,” police said.
Despite his attempts to evade capture by constantly changing his locations, the special cell team’s technical surveillance ultimately tracked him down in Hyderabad.
Police said Haider was the head of Ali International Consultancy Services. He, along with his gang members, hatched a conspiracy to traffic Indian youth to Thailand and Laos. Haider facilitated the entire operation and was also involved in extorting money through cryptocurrency wallets from victims who tried to escape the clutches of the Chinese scammers.
“The syndicate, led by Haider, was involved in the operation of an unlicensed manpower supply agency, illegal transfer/transport of potential victims for criminal activities in south-east Asian countries. The trafficked persons were being used as slaves and forced to work in inhumane conditions,” police said.
The operation was spearheaded by inspectors Pawan Kumar and Satvinder, and SI Sumit, under the guidance of ACP Ved Parkash. The team chased Haider over 2,500 km without rest, ultimately leading to his capture. “He was apprehended near Nampally Railway Station while he was trying to escape to another location,” police said.
