NGOCSTIP – A shocking human trafficking plot was recently uncovered at Mumbai International Airport. A “professor” from a private Haryana university orchestrated a human trafficking scheme involving seven youths. The youths believed they were joining a student exchange program to the UK, but they obtained fraudulent visas. Authorities acted quickly and foiled the plot just before the group set to depart from India.
The incident occurred on Monday at Mumbai’s international airport when two youths approached the immigration counter. The duo presented their passports and UK visit visas, claiming to be students traveling with their “professor” for a student exchange program. However, when questioned about the course they were studying and the UK university they were attending, the two youths could not provide satisfactory answers. This raised suspicion, prompting the officer to alert his superiors.
Upon further investigation, authorities discovered that the two youths were not the only ones traveling with the same “professor.” They found five more youths at other immigration counters, all traveling with the same man. All of them were set to fly to London via Jeddah. The “professor,” whose identity authorities later questioned, claimed he worked under the direction of two colleagues from the Haryana university.
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The “professor,” who had presented an identity card from the Haryana university, was initially detained. Police were quick to suspect that the situation was not what it appeared. The “professor” had allegedly coordinated with an agent named Bittu, who was responsible for procuring visas for the group. According to police reports, Bittu had charged each of the seven youths a hefty sum of Rs 20 lakh to arrange for the fraudulent student exchange program.
The scheme’s mastermind had orchestrated meetings with Bittu and the seven youths in a hotel in Delhi. Bittu allegedly provided false details about the student exchange program in the UK, allowing him to secure the visit visas. After arranging the visas, the “professor” brought the youths to Mumbai, where they were set to fly to London.
Authorities moved quickly when the immigration officer raised concerns about the legitimacy of the youths’ claims. A formal investigation was launched, and the “professor” was arrested at Mumbai Airport. Police are now in the process of verifying his identity and confirming his association with the university he claimed to represent. They are also looking into the role of Bittu, the agent, and whether he was part of a larger human trafficking network.
Three of the youths involved were minors, which added an additional layer of concern for authorities. The police immediately informed the parents of the minors and are taking extra care to ensure the victims’ safety.
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The role of the immigration officer at Mumbai airport proved crucial in detecting the fraudulent activity. Their routine questioning led to a deeper investigation that uncovered the entire human trafficking scheme. The authorities have credited the officer’s vigilance as key to preventing a potentially dangerous situation for the youths.
The police have transferred the case to the property cell for further investigation. They are working to uncover the full extent of the plot. Authorities are examining how long the trafficking operation had been running. Authorities are also investigating whether other individuals played a role in exploiting vulnerable youths for illegal purposes.
The police initially detained the youths but later released them following court orders. Investigators are questioning the “professor” and others involved. Authorities stress the importance of vigilance at immigration points. They emphasize the need for more awareness about human trafficking. The authorities are investigating the financial side of the operation. They are looking into how Bittu charged large sums for false visas. Investigators are also examining how the “professor” convinced the youths to join the scam.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which human traffickers will go to exploit vulnerable individuals. Human trafficking continues to rise globally, making it crucial for authorities to stay alert at entry points like airports. They must take action when they detect suspicious activity. The success of this operation shows that with proper training and vigilance, authorities can make a significant impact in preventing such crimes from taking place.
