ED investigates Canadian universities over alleged trafficking of Indian students to US

After uncovering a significant network, the Enforcement Directorate launched an investigation against some Indian people, organizations, and Canadian universities involved in the trafficking of Indians into the United States over the Canadian border.

The investigation is connected to the 2022 death of a four-member Indian family from Gujarat's Dingucha village who attempted to enter the US illegally and died from extreme cold.

In a statement, the agency said that as part of the ongoing investigation into a man named Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, who reportedly plotted to transport the victims to the United States through Canada through illicit methods, searches are being conducted at eight different locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara.

"Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ahmedabad Zonal Office has conducted search operations on 10.12.2024 and 19.12.2024, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at 8 locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara as part of the ongoing probe in the case of Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel and others (Dingucha case) for hatching a well-planned conspiracy to send the victims/persons to the USA through Canada via illegal channels, thereby committing the offence of human trafficking," it said in the statement.

According to the agency, Patel and others had planned to transport Indians to the US through Canada under the guise of applying to Canadian universities.

The agency disclosed how the racket operated. It said such individuals are eligible for student visas to Canada.

Instead of enrolling in universities, they cross the US-Canada border after arriving in the country.

The money that Canadian institutions receive is then transferred to the students' accounts.

According to the report, Indians were "lured" into the scam and charged anything from ₹55 to ₹60 lakh each.

"ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by DCB, Crime Branch, Ahmedabad City, Gujarat, against Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel and others after a family of 04 Indian nationals of Dingucha village, Gujarat, was found dead on the Canada-US Border on 19.01.2022,” ED said in the statement.

“All the accused, in conspiracy with each other, lured the innocent Indian nationals by charging them huge amounts of ₹ 55 to 60 Lakh per person for causing them to illegally enter the USA through Canada," it added.

According to the ED, two "entities"—one in Nagpur and the other in Mumbai—entered into an "agreement" to admit Indians to overseas colleges on a commission basis.

"It is gathered that 02 entities based in Mumbai and Nagpur have entered into an agreement for the admission of students to universities based in foreign countries on a commission basis with an entity that was contacted by a desirous student for immigrating to the USA illegally," ED said.

According to the agency, the most recent searches revealed that each year, roughly 25,000 students are directed by one organization and over 10,000 students by the other to different colleges located outside of India.

Under the guise of student admissions, the ED suspected 262 Canadian colleges of being involved in the racket that aids illegal migration.

"It is further revealed that around 112 colleges based in Canada have entered into an agreement with one entity and more than 150 with another entity. Their involvement in the instant case is under investigation," the ED added.

Additionally, the inquiry has shown that 3,500 agents or partners—of whom about 800 are still active—as well as 1,700 agents or partners in Gujarat were involved.

During its searches, the ED froze ₹19 lakh in bank balances, seized two vehicles, and collected documents and digital gadgets.

Two people, including an Indian national, were convicted of the deaths of four family members due to excessive cold.

Both Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, better known as 'Dirty Harry,' and Steve Anthony Shand have been convicted of human smuggling, including conspiracy to bring migrants into the United States unlawfully.

According to court records, both men were involved in a large-scale operation to smuggle Indian nationals into the United States through Canada. The plan involves bringing people to Canada on student visas and then moving them illegally across the border into the United States.