The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a large human trafficking racket which involves Canadian colleges and Indian businesses, including one based in Nagpur. The Nagpur-based firm was helping students gain admission to foreign universities in exchange for a commission. The firm was also involved in facilitating illegal immigration to the USA. According to ED officials, the accused arranged for Indian nationals to be admitted to colleges in Canada and helped them get Canadian student visas. However, once the students reached Canada, instead of attending college, they crossed the Canada-US border illegally.

 

The tuition fees paid to Canadian colleges were refunded to the students once they crossed into the US. In addition to the Nagpur firm, another organisation in Mumbai was also found to be involved. The ED conducted searches in both cities on December 10 and 19, revealing that these firms were charging large sums for their services. They collected Rs 60-75 lakh per individual, Rs 1-1.25 crore for couples, and Rs 1.25-1.75 crore if children accompanied their parents. The accused lured Indians with promises of a better life in the US, charging between Rs 55 lakh and Rs 60 lakh per person.

 

The firms were responsible for sending over 35,000 students annually to foreign institutions, including more than 112 colleges in Canada. The ED suspects that some Canadian colleges near the US border may have been involved in helping with the illegal border crossings. Thousands of agents and partners were part of the operation, with 800 still active. This investigation began after the tragic deaths of a family from Dingucha village, Gujarat, near the Canada-US border in January 2022, and has uncovered a widespread network.