India, Oct. 19 -- Lucrative overseas job offers are being used to lure job seekers into human trafficking networks, with victims allegedly diverted through multiple countries, stripped of legal protection and forced into exploitative situations. The growing trend has also brought new forms of exploitation, including what has been described as "cyber slavery", into focus, as fraudulent recruitment agencies and criminal syndicates target people seeking employment abroad.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function on Monday, Crime Branch DIG Abdul Qayoom said bogus placement agencies and consultancies attract job seekers with promises of high-paying jobs but may later confiscate their passports, force them into illegal activities...