Police in India have apprehended a key figure behind a large-scale cybercrime operation in Cambodia that targeted victims across Southeast Asia using cryptocurrency scams. The mastermind, identified as Devendra Pratap Mourya, hails from Uttar Pradesh and had been actively involved in running the criminal network from Cambodia since 2022.
Mourya, who is believed to have joined a group of cybercriminals operating in the region, oversaw a gang of more than 40 members. These individuals were responsible for perpetrating fraudulent schemes, many of which exploited unsuspecting victims worldwide. The syndicate’s operations involved converting the illicit gains into cryptocurrencies, which were then distributed among the group’s members.
Police say Mourya was deeply embedded in a broader criminal network that engaged in a range of illegal activities, including cryptocurrency fraud, human trafficking, and cyber slavery. Thousands of Indian nationals fell victim to this operation, some of whom were trapped in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, unable to return to India due to passport confiscations or financial extortion enforced by the syndicate.
The criminal group used a combination of pre-activated SIM cards, mule bank accounts, and local agents to lure Indian youths with promises of high-paying IT jobs. Instead, these individuals were coerced into engaging in cybercrime activities themselves.
The investigation into the syndicate’s activities was triggered by a report from a senior central government official, who revealed a fraud amounting to Rs 67.7 lakh. Following this, authorities initiated a probe, which was overseen by the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Rourkela, Odisha. The operation eventually led investigators to uncover an international criminal network spanning multiple Southeast Asian countries.
At the heart of the scam was a fraudulent trading app, “Indira Securities,” which masqueraded as a legitimate entity registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that this was just one facet of a much larger, complex operation stretching across borders and involving numerous illicit activities.
Police continue to probe the syndicate’s extensive network, with efforts underway to bring all involved parties to justice.
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