YouTuber Bobby Kataria Arrested on Fraud Charges

Sent to Laos in the Name of Job, Held Hostage There: YouTuber Bobby Kataria Arrested on Fraud Charges

Bobby Kataria Arrested: Bobby Kataria, a YouTuber frequently discussed on social media, faces serious charges. Seven cases are registered against him in Gurugram, including attempted robbery, assault, extortion, cheating, and using caste-related slurs.

Kataria's latest allegations involve sending two young men to Laos under the pretext of offering them jobs abroad. Once in Laos, their passports were seized, and they were held hostage, forced into cyber fraud activities. After working for two days, the youths managed to escape on the third day.

Cyber Fraud Scheme Exposed

Gurugram: Indian nationals were lured to Laos with the promise of jobs abroad, only to be held hostage and forced into cyber fraud targeting American citizens. Bobby Kataria, also known as Balwant, was arrested by Gurugram Police on Monday, charged with human trafficking and fraud. Acting on a tip from security agencies, police raided Conscient One Mall in Sector-109 on Dwarka Expressway, where Kataria operated his office. An FIR has been filed against him at Bajgheda police station.

The complaint was lodged by Arun Kumar, a resident of Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. Arun, accompanied by his friend Manish Tomar from Hapur, UP, approached the Bajgheda police with their ordeal. They had encountered an advertisement on Instagram and YouTube claiming that Bobby Kataria could secure jobs abroad. Trusting his online persona, they contacted him and visited his office in Sector-109 on February 1, 2024.

 Promises of Jobs Abroad

Kataria promised Arun a job in the UAE, initially charging a registration fee of Rs 2,000. On February 13, Arun transferred Rs 50,000 to the account of Kataria's company, MBK Global Visa Private Limited. On March 14, an additional Rs 1 lakh was transferred to an account belonging to Ankit Shaukeen, one of Kataria's agents. Subsequently, Arun received a ticket to Laos via WhatsApp from Shokeen. On March 28, Arun exchanged Rs 50,000 into dollars and flew to Laos.

Manish Tomar, similarly deceived, visited Kataria's office on January 10. He was promised a job in Singapore, leading him to make several transfers: Rs 2,000 for registration, followed by Rs 50,000, Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000, Rs 50,000, and Rs 67,200. Manish also received a ticket to Laos for March 28, and like Arun, he exchanged Rs 50,000 into dollars and boarded the flight.

Hostage Situation in Laos

Upon arrival at Vientiane Laos Airport, Arun and Manish were met by a man named Abhi and taken to a hotel. The following day, they were given train tickets to Nawalaui and then transported by taxi to the Golden Triangle, where they met Ankit Shaukeen and Nitish Sharma, also known as Rocky. It is alleged that upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were physically assaulted. They were coerced into committing cyber fraud against American citizens, under the threat of never being able to return home if they refused to comply.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest

Based on the detailed complaints from Arun Kumar and Manish Tomar, the Gurugram Police launched an investigation. The evidence gathered led to the raid on Kataria’s office and his subsequent arrest. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of Kataria’s operations and any additional victims involved.

 Community Impact

The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the dangers of fraudulent job offers and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking opportunities abroad. It underscores the importance of verifying the legitimacy of job placements and being cautious of online advertisements.

 Conclusion

Bobby Kataria's arrest marks a significant step in combating cyber fraud and human trafficking. The victims’ bravery in coming forward has not only exposed the criminal activities of Kataria and his associates but also serves as a warning to others. Authorities are urging anyone else who may have been victimized to come forward as the investigation continues.