CBI blocks multi-state network that traffics Indians to Russia on pretext of jobs abroad
A CBI spokesperson said the trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed against their will to frontline bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone, putting their lives at risk.
War between Russia and Ukraine: The next day, news emerged of the death of a man from Hyderabad, who was taken to Russia after being duped under the pretext of a well-paid job abroad and forced work as a “helper” for the Russian army, the Central Bureau of Investigation said. Investigation Thursday said it has busted a major network involved in trafficking of young Indian men in the Russia-Ukraine war zone under the guise of providing employment abroad.
An official statement from the Central Investigative Agency said it found 35 cases where young people were brought to Russia after being lured through social media channels and local contacts and agents with false promises of well-paying jobs. victims.
Giving details, a CBI spokesperson said the trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed against their will to frontline bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone, putting their lives at risk.
Multi-state network
“The human trafficking network of these agents is spread across several states across the country and they operate in an organized manner,” the CBI spokesperson said.
The federal agency has registered an FIR against some visa consultancy firms and agents. It was followed by searches at 13 locations in Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai and Chennai.
According to the agency’s statement, the following companies and their top executives have been booked in various states; 24×7 RAS Overseas Foundation in Delhi and its Director Suyash Mukut, OSD Bros Travels & Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Mumbai and its Director Rakesh Pandey, Adventure Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Chandigarh and its Director Manjeet Singh, and Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd in Dubai and its director Faisal Abdul Mutalib Khan alias Baba.
“It has been established that some victims also suffered serious injuries in the war zone,” the official said.
“So far, cash worth over Rs 50 lakh, incriminating documents and electronic documents such as laptops, mobile phones, desktops and CCTV footage have been seized. Searches are in progress. Certain suspects have also been detained at various locations for questioning,” he added.
Hyderabad man killed in Russia
The development comes a day after news emerged of the death of Mohammed Asfan, a resident of Hyderabad, who was among the Indians ‘duped’ by agents with the promise of jobs and taken to Russia and forced to to work as a ‘helper’ for the Russian army.
In a post on social media on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed Asfan’s death on Wednesday, adding that they are in touch with the family here.
“We have learned of the tragic death of Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in contact with the family and the Russian authorities. The mission will make efforts to send his remains to India,” the Indian Embassy in Moscow said in a message on ‘X’.
Ashfan’s elder brother Imran said the Indian embassy in Moscow informed the family about the 30-year-old’s death on Wednesday.
He requested the central government to help them recover his brother’s remains.
“We just came to know through the phone call (in which we were informed about Asfan’s death). We have no other information. His body must be returned. We request the central government to get his body back,” Imran said.
(With PTI inputs)