ED probes human trafficking racket involving Indian entities and Canadian colleges

Canadian colleges under ED’s scanner for illegally trafficking Indians into US

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into Indian individuals, entities, and Canadian colleges involved in trafficking Indians into the United States through the Canadian border. The probe is linked to the tragic deaths of a four-member Indian family from Dingucha village in Gujarat, who succumbed to extreme cold while attempting to cross the Canada-US border illegally in January 2022.

Search operations and key accusations

The ED conducted searches on December 10 and December 19, 2024, at eight locations across Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. The operation targeted Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, the alleged mastermind behind a human trafficking racket. Patel and his associates are accused of conspiring to send Indian nationals to the US via Canada under the guise of student admissions.

The ED’s press statement highlighted, “Patel and others hatched a well-planned conspiracy to facilitate illegal migration to the USA through Canada, committing the offense of human trafficking.”

Racket modus operandi

• Student visa exploitation: Individuals seeking illegal immigration were granted Canadian student visas under the pretext of enrolling in colleges. Once in Canada, these individuals crossed the US-Canada border without attending the colleges.
• Fee reimbursement: Fees received by the Canadian colleges were later remitted to the individuals’ accounts, raising concerns about financial misconduct.
• Cost to victims: Indians were charged ₹55-60 lakh per person for the illegal immigration process.

Scale of the operation

The ED uncovered alarming details during the searches:

• Two entities, based in Mumbai and Nagpur, had agreements with over 260 foreign colleges, including 112 in Canada.
• These entities referred over 35,000 students annually to various institutions abroad, with a portion of them being part of the trafficking racket.

Background of the case

The investigation stems from an FIR filed by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch against Patel and others after the deaths of the Dingucha family on January 19, 2022. The FIR alleged that Patel and his associates lured Indian nationals with promises of US entry, charging exorbitant fees for illegal migration routes.

Ongoing investigation

The ED is now scrutinizing the role of foreign colleges and Indian entities involved in the racket. Agreements between Indian agents and Canadian colleges are under investigation to determine the extent of complicity in the illegal immigration scheme. The agency is also examining whether additional individuals or institutions facilitated human trafficking under the guise of educational admissions.

This high-profile case underscores the urgent need to address vulnerabilities in immigration systems and hold accountable those exploiting legal frameworks for illicit purposes.

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