ED Probes Over 200 Canadian Colleges in Human Trafficking and Money Laundering Case
Investigation Uncovers Fake College Admissions Scheme, Links to Illegal US Migration via Canada
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has launched a comprehensive probe into a human trafficking network involving over 200 Canadian colleges and Indian entities. The scheme allegedly facilitated illegal migration of Indians to the United States under the guise of educational opportunities in Canada, with tuition refunds and fake admissions forming the crux of the operation.
Trafficking Scheme Details
The investigation, triggered by the tragic death of a four-member Indian family attempting to cross the Canada-US border in 2022, uncovered:
Victims charged ₹55-60 lakh each for being smuggled into the US.
Fake admissions to Canadian colleges used as a front for obtaining student visas.
Tuition fees often refunded, suggesting potential collusion with institutions.
Major Indian Involvement
The ED conducted searches at eight locations across India, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. Two entities based in Mumbai and Nagpur were found to be central to the scheme, collectively facilitating over 35,000 annual student referrals abroad.
Key findings include
Agreements between these entities and more than 200 Canadian colleges, with 100 linked to one and 150 to the other.
A network of 1,700 agents in Gujarat and 3,500 across India, of which 800 are actively involved.
Colleges Near Canada-US Border Under Scrutiny
Many of the implicated Canadian colleges are located near the Canada-US border, raising suspicions of complicity in the trafficking network. The ED alleges that certain institutions knowingly participated by refunding tuition fees and allowing students to bypass academic requirements to enter the US illegally.
The ED has filed cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against key accused Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel and others. The network is described as a "well-planned conspiracy" to exploit students and families seeking better opportunities. This investigation not only highlights a critical issue in immigration fraud but also raises concerns about the accountability of educational institutions. The ED’s findings could prompt international cooperation to combat human trafficking and ensure ethical practices in student admissions.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.