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Authorities have swung into action after reports of a number of Indians being duped into joining the Russian Army.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday conducted raids in over a dozen places across India.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the Centre has taken up the matter with the Russian government.
The development came a day after the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed the death of 30-year-old Mohammed Afsan.
Afsan’s death came weeks after a 23-year-old Indian who worked as a ‘helper’ in the Russian Army died in a Ukrainian air strike.
It also comes as nearly a dozen Indians say they were forced to join the Russian military after falling victim to a con.
But what happened? And what has the CBI uncovered during its raids?
Let’s take a closer look:
According to Indian Express, the agency raided locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai.
The agency is looking at the role of Christina and Moinuddin Chippa – two agents based in Russia in the scam.
Christina and Moinuddin were facilitating the trafficking of Indian youth to Russia by offering them lucrative job opportunities.
They duped students by providing them admission to dubious private universities in Russia instead of government or public universities by offering discounted fees, and visa extensions before leaving them “at the mercy” of local agents.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOnce these aspirants reached Russia their passports were seized by the agents there.
They were then forced to join the armed forces after combat role training.
The central probe agency’s FIR has listed 17 other visa consultancy companies, their owners and agents spread across India.
The agency has booked them under Indian Penal Code Sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and human trafficking.
“They were being trained in combat roles and provided with Russian Army uniforms and batches. Thereafter, these Indian Nationals are being deployed at front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their wishes and put their lives in grave danger,” the CBI FIR stated.
Indian Express reported that at least 180 people have been sent to Russia – mainly on student visas.
The team is looking examining embassy employees, a source told the newspaper.
Officials said the agency has found 35 instances in which youngsters were taken to Russia after being lured with false promises of high-paying jobs via social media channels and local contacts and agents.
“The human trafficking network of these agents is spread over several states across the country and they are operating in an organised manner,” the spokesperson had said.
The central probe agency has booked 24×7 RAS Overseas Foundation in Delhi and its director Suyash Mukut, OSD Bros Travels and 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.
Indian Express reported that Chennai resident Srividhya, a resident of Chenna, Sufiyan Dawood Ahmad Darugar and his wife Pooka from Palghar, Santhosh, also based in Russia, Tamil Nadu resident Ramesh Kumar, Tommy, Robo, and Job from Kerala and others were also booked.
Four agents hail from Maharashtra, while three each come from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as per Deccan Herald.
“It has been ascertained that some of the victims also suffered grievous injuries in the war zone,” the official said.
“So far, cash worth over Rs 50 lakh, incriminating documents and electronic records like laptops, mobiles, desktops and CCTV footage have been seized. Searches are going on. Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations,” he added.
Indian Express quoted MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal as saying strong action is being taken.
“The CBI, yesterday, busted a major human trafficking network, while conducting searches in several cities and collecting incriminating evidence. A case of human trafficking has been registered against several agents,” Jaiswal said.
“Several Indian nationals have been duped to work with the Russian Army. We have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian government for early discharge of such Indian nationals,” Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal also asked the public not to fall prey to such schemes.
“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,” he said.
He added, “We remain committed to early release of our nationals serving as support staff with the Russian army and then eventual return home.”
Jaiswal last week said around 20 people had contacted the MEA for help.
“The traffickers have been operating as an organised network and were luring Indian nationals through social media channels such as YouTube, and also through their local contacts/agents for highly paid jobs in Russia,” he added.
With inputs from agencies
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