The Economic Offences Branch (EOB) of Fatehabad police has arrested the main accused in a case where a youth was allegedly duped of Rs35 lakh and trafficked to the US via the illegal “donkey route”.
The accused, identified as Satish of Samain village in Fatehabad, is currently under interrogation. The case was originally registered last year at Tohana Sadar Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following a complaint by the victim’s family.
According to police, the victim’s father, Sukhwinder Singh, alleged that Satish and his associates lured his son, Ankush, with promises of facilitating legal entry into the US, charging Rs35 lakh for the arrangement.
Investigators said the youth was routed through several countries, including Thailand, China, France, Brazil, Colombia, and Panama, before reaching Mexico. In Mexico, the accused allegedly confiscated his passport and mobile phone and subjected him to harassment.
While attempting to cross into the US illegally, Ankush was apprehended by American authorities and spent nearly nine months in jail before being deported back to India.
Police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the network involved in this transnational trafficking and fraud racket. Authorities have also urged citizens to exercise extreme caution when seeking overseas employment or travel services from unknown sources.
