Russia-based agents trafficked Indians for Ukraine war using jobs, university admissions: CBI

Once these aspirants reached Russia, their passports were seized by the agents there, and they were forced to join the armed forces after combat role training, the CBI said.

A photo of Indian national Mohammed Asfan, seen wearing Russian military fatigues, being held by his family member in Hyderabad. File Photo | EPS

NEW DELHI: Two Russia-based agents involved in the human trafficking network that pushed Indians into the Ukraine war zone are under the CBI scanner, officials said on Friday.

The agents allegedly confiscated the passports of Indians arriving in Russia and forced them to fight with the armed forces, officials said. The network was busted by the CBI on Thursday.

Christina and Moinuddin Chippa, a resident of Rajasthan, are based in Russia and were facilitating the trafficking of Indian youth to Russia by offering them lucrative job opportunities there, officials said.

The central probe agency's FIR has listed 17 other Visa consultancy companies, their owners and agents spread across India, they said.

The agency has booked them under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and human trafficking.

The CBI has alleged that the accused persons, through their agents, trafficked Indian nationals to Russia on the pretext of getting jobs related to the Russian Army, security guards, helpers, a better life, and education, and a huge amount was charged from these people illegally.

The agents also duped students by providing them admission to dubious private universities in Russia instead of government or public universities by offering discounted fees and visa extensions, ultimately leaving them "at the mercy" of local agents.

Once these aspirants reached Russia, their passports were seized by the agents there, and they were forced to join the armed forces after combat role training.

"They were being trained in combat roles and provided with Russian Army uniforms and batches. Thereafter, these Indian nationals are being deployed at front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their wishes, and put their lives in grave danger," the CBI FIR said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had busted the trafficking network on Thursday. They said the agency has found 35 instances in which youngsters were taken to Russia after being lured with false promises of high-paying jobs via social media channels and local contacts and agents.

After filing the FIR, the CBI conducted countrywide searches at 13 locations across Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai and Chennai.

"The human trafficking network of these agents is spread over several states across the country and they are operating in an organised manner," the spokesperson had said.

The central probe agency has booked 24x7 RAS Overseas Foundation in Delhi and its director Suyash Mukut, O S D Bros Travels and Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Mumbai and its director Rakesh Pandey, Adventure Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Chandigarh and its director Manjeet Singh, and Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd in Dubai and its director Faisal Abdul Mutalib Khan, alias Baba, among others.

"It has been ascertained that some of the victims also suffered grievous injuries in the war zone," the official had said.

"So far, cash worth over Rs 50 lakh, incriminating documents and electronic records like laptops, mobiles, desktops and CCTV footage have been seized. Searches are going on. Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations," he had added.