Investigation into Canadian Colleges and Indian Entities Linked to Human Trafficking Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing the involvement of certain Canadian colleges and Indian entities in a money laundering case tied to human trafficking. This investigation follows the tragic death of an Indian family from Dingucha village, Gujarat, who succumbed to extreme cold while attempting to cross the Canada-US border illegally on January 19, 2022.

The ED initiated its investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Ahmedabad Police against Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel and others. They are accused of orchestrating a scheme to smuggle Indians into the USA through Canada using illegal means. The agency has filed a complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against those involved.

Canadian Colleges and Illegal Admissions

As part of this scheme, the accused facilitated admissions for individuals wishing to enter the US illegally into Canadian colleges and universities. These individuals applied for Canadian student visas but never attended the institutions. Instead, they crossed into the US illegally after reaching Canada. The fees paid to these colleges were allegedly returned to the individuals' accounts.

The ED revealed that Indians were enticed into this racket with charges ranging from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 60 lakh per person. The agency conducted fresh searches on December 10 and December 19 at eight locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara as part of their ongoing investigation.

Entities and Agents Under Scrutiny

During these searches, it was discovered that two entities, one in Mumbai and another in Nagpur, had agreements to admit Indians into foreign universities on a commission basis. One entity referred about 25,000 students annually, while the other referred over 10,000 students to various international colleges.

Further investigations revealed around 1,700 agents or partners based in Gujarat and approximately 3,500 across India. Of these, about 800 are actively involved. The ED found that around 112 Canadian colleges had agreements with one entity and over 150 with another. Their roles in this case are still being examined.

Geographical Concerns and Financial Seizures

The ED suspects that some of these colleges, especially those near the Canada-US border, might be complicit in trafficking Indian nationals. In connection with this probe, the agency has frozen bank deposits worth Rs 19 lakh and seized incriminating documents, digital devices, and two vehicles.

This ongoing investigation highlights the complexities of human trafficking networks involving educational institutions and underscores the need for stringent checks on international student admissions.