The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three individuals, including a suspected Chinese national who is currently absconding, in connection with a human trafficking and cyber fraud racket based in Myanmar. This network targeted citizens in the UK, the US, and Canada.
The chargesheet, submitted to the NIA special court in Panchkula, Haryana, reveals a well-organized system of traffickers and touts. The accused, Ankit Kumar alias Ankit Bharadwaj, Ishtikhar Ali alias Ali, and the missing Chinese national Lisa, have been charged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Emigration Act.
Investigations by the NIA uncovered that the trio, along with their associates, trafficked vulnerable Indian youths to Myanmar’s Myawaddy region. The agency, which took over the case from Haryana Police, found that the accused were involved in illegal recruitment and illicit transfer of victims for criminal activities in Southeast Asia.
Ankit Kumar and Ishtikhar Ali, who are currently in custody, allegedly lured Indian youths with promises of legitimate employment in Thailand, conducting online interviews with the Chinese national Lisa. Victims were misled to believe they would secure jobs in Thailand but were instead transported illegally to Myanmar.
Upon arrival, these youths were coerced into working for cyber scam companies, creating fake social media profiles to defraud individuals in the USA, the UK, and Canada through fraudulent cryptocurrency applications. Those who resisted were confined and forced to pay hefty sums for their release.
The NIA’s actions mark a significant step in curbing international human trafficking and cyber fraud, with further investigations expected to uncover more about this complex network.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 20th, 2026
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