New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a large-scale human trafficking network that lured Indian youths to join the Russia-Ukraine war under the pretext of lucrative jobs. The CBI has registered a case against various visa consultancy firms and agents and is conducting raids at more than 10 locations in seven cities across the country.
The modus operandi
According to the CBI, the accused used social media platforms and online portals to advertise fake job opportunities in Russia and other countries. They then charged hefty fees from the unsuspecting applicants and arranged their visas and travel documents. However, instead of sending them to their promised destinations, they diverted them to the war zones in Russia and Ukraine, where they were forced to work as support staff for the Russian Army.
The CBI said that the victims were given false assurances of high salaries, free accommodation, food, and medical facilities. They were also told that they would be working in safe and peaceful areas. However, once they reached there, they realized that they had been duped and trapped in a life-threatening situation. They were not allowed to contact their families or return to India. They were also threatened with dire consequences if they tried to escape or complain.
The rescue operation
The CBI’s investigation was triggered by the intervention of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which received complaints from some of the victims’ families. The MEA contacted the Russian authorities and requested their help in locating and rescuing the stranded Indians. The MEA also issued an advisory to the public, warning them of the fraudulent schemes and asking them to verify the credentials of the visa agents and consultancies before applying for any overseas jobs.
The CBI said that with the cooperation of the Russian government, about 20 Indians working as support staff in the Russian Army have been promised to ‘leave soon’. However, the fate of the others is still unknown. The CBI also revealed that one of the victims, Mohammed Asfan of Hyderabad, was killed in the war zone. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his death on Twitter and said that it was in touch with his family and the Russian authorities. The embassy also said that it was making efforts to send his mortal remains to India.
The evidence and the suspects
The CBI has seized Rs 50 lakh, objectionable documents, and electronic records like laptops, mobile, desktops, etc. from the premises of the accused. Some suspects have been detained for questioning at various places. The CBI said that it has established about 35 cases of victims being sent abroad by the racket so far.
The CBI has named the following accused in its case:
- M/s 24×7 RAS Overseas Foundation, KG Marg, New Delhi, and its Director Suyash Mukut
- M/s OSD Bros Travels & Visa Services Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, and Rakesh Pandey, its Director
- M/s Adventure Visa Services Private Limited, Chandigarh, Punjab, and its Director Manjeet Singh
- Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Dubai, and its Director Faisal Abdul Mutalib Khan @ Baba
The CBI has also released a video clip of a group of seven Indians, who claimed that they were being forced by Russia to fight the Ukraine war against their will. The video, which went viral on social media, showed the victims wearing army uniforms and pleading for help. The video was recorded in a room with closed windows, where six of them were standing in a corner and one was narrating their ordeal.
The CBI has appealed to the public to come forward with any information related to the case and help in the investigation. The CBI has also assured the victims and their families of all possible assistance in bringing them back to India.
