The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against five persons, including absconding “mastermind” Anand Kumar Singh, in a case of human trafficking and “cyber slavery” in Cambodia.

Three of the chargesheeted accused, Abhay Nath Dubey and Rohit Yadav from Uttar Pradesh; and Abhiranjan Kumar from Bihar, were arrested in February on their arrival in Delhi from Cambodia. The fifth person named Prahlad Kumar Singh, is out on bail.

The syndicate was involved in luring Indian youth to Cambodia on the pretext of legitimate jobs and lucrative salaries, as part of an organised human trafficking racket.

“The victims’ passports were seized and they were forced to work for scam companies in Cambodia, with any resistance on their part met with mental and physical torture, including electric shocks, forceful confinement, denial of food and water, etc.,” said the agency.

The NIA alleged that Anand was the kingpin, involved in the recruitment of the youth through various sub-agents and travel agents in India. He worked with his associates in Cambodia to illegally send the victims to that country. He charged $2,000-3,000 for each person “sold” to a fake company. Efforts are under way to track down the other members of the syndicate, said the agency.