According to the FIA’s deputy director, the group consisted of six suspects, two of whom — identified as Mazhar and Abbas — were based in Cambodia, while four operated from Pakistan.

Officials said the Pakistan-based suspects trapped young people through social media by posting fake job advertisements for call centre work in Cambodia.

Naive job seekers would contact the suspects after seeing the ads. The gang mainly targeted individuals with computer and technical skills.

The suspects allegedly collected money from victims on the pretext of arranging visas and employment before sending them to Cambodia.

Upon arrival, Mazhar and Abbas would receive the victims and sell them to foreign scam operators for up to $2,000 per person, authorities said.

According to investigators, the trafficked Pakistanis were held captive and forced to carry out online scamming activities. Those who refused to work were subjected to physical abuse.

The deputy director said the gang had trafficked more than 100 people to Cambodia so far. Investigations have been launched to trace victims and dismantle the remaining network.

The FIA said further arrests are expected as the probe continues, and efforts are underway to recover and repatriate affected Pakistanis.