Many Indians have fallen victim to a scam where they were lured into working for the Russian Army. The Indian government has strongly raised the issue with Russian authorities to ensure the prompt return of these individuals.
At the weekly briefing in New Delhi on Friday (March 8, 2024), the official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said: “The CBI yesterday busted a major human trafficking network conducting searches in several cities and collecting incriminating evidence. A case of human trafficking has been registered against several agents.”
This came after the CBI busted a racket linked to a human trafficking network a day after the MEA confirmed that a youth from Hyderabad who was duped into the Russia-Ukraine war, was killed in the frontline. He said that the government has taken decisive steps against the agents and dishonest individuals who deceived these Indian nationals with false promises.
“We once again appeal to Indian nationals to not be swayed by offers made by agents for support jobs with the Russian Army. This is fraught with danger and risk to life,” the spokesperson added.
The official spokesperson said India remains committed to ensure early release of the Indian nationals serving as support staff to the Russian Army.
CBI probe in human trafficking network
In a recent crackdown, authorities have taken decisive action against several visa consultancy firms and agents accused of exploiting unsuspecting individuals. The crackdown resulted in the detention of multiple individuals and the seizure of a substantial sum of money amounting to Rs 50 lakh.
Investigations conducted by the agency uncovered a disturbing pattern wherein young people were lured with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities, only to find themselves thrust into the perilous environment of the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone. These individuals were deceived through various means, including social media channels and local agents, ultimately finding themselves trained for combat roles and deployed in frontline bases without their consent.
The consequences of this exploitation have been dire, with Indian nationals facing grave danger in the war-torn region. Tragically, reports have emerged of individuals who have lost their lives in the conflict, including Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya from Gujarat and Mohammed Asfan from Hyderabad. These young men, unaware of the true nature of their deployment, found themselves caught in the crossfire, paying the ultimate price for the deceitful practices.
Human Trafficking
The extent of the exploitation became further apparent with the emergence of a distressing video featuring seven youths from Punjab and Haryana. In the video, these individuals, visibly distressed, recounted their ordeal of being coerced into fighting in the conflict zone against their will.
Among them was 19-year-old Harsh from Haryana’s Karnal, who detailed the circumstances that led to their involuntary involvement in the conflict. Their testimonies shed light on the harrowing experiences faced by unsuspecting individuals who fell victim to the unscrupulous tactics employed by those seeking to profit from their misfortune.
The legal ramifications of these actions are now being pursued, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registering FIRs against key players involved in the exploitation scheme.
Among those implicated are prominent visa consultancy firms and their directors, including 24×7 RAS Overseas Foundation, O S D Bros Travels & Visa Services Pvt Ltd, Adventure Visa Services Pvt Ltd, and Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd. The pursuit of justice for the victims remains paramount, as efforts continue to hold accountable those responsible for perpetrating such heinous acts of exploitation and deception.