Belagavi, 16 Jan

The Belagavi Cyber Crime Police rescued three youths who were held hostage in Cambodia and forced to engage in cybercrime after being lured abroad with fake job promises.

Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhuban Borase confirmed the safe return of all three hostages who were rescued by the Belagavi CEN (crime, economic and narcotics).

Akash Vitthal Kaginakar and twin brothers Omkar Sambhaji Lokande and Sanskar Sambhaji Lokande returned safely to Belagavi on 9 January.

Borase said the three were promised data entry jobs with a monthlysalary of Rs 1.25 lakh in Hong Kong and Bangkok by Prasanna Hundre, a resident of Belagavi, and Asif and Amit from Punjab.

Instead, on 12 December, the victims were taken to Cambodia and sold to a crime syndicate for Rs 2.50 lakh. Once there, the three were forced to make fraudulent calls targeting Indians.

When Akash, Omkar, and Sanskar refused, their phones were confiscated.

“We were kept in a den-like house for three days. We were warned of dire consequences if we tried to flee,” Akash said. 

"The fraudsters said that Asif and Amit had taken Rs 3 lakh each,” Commissioner Borase added.

Sachin Vitthal Kaginakar, Akash’s brother, filed a complaint on 25 December.

Police said they are coordinating with Punjab Police and other agencies to trace Asif, Amit, and the prime accused, Prasanna Hundre.