Several residents of Punjab were duped by an international human trafficking syndicate by pretending to send them abroad for jobs but kidnapping them midway and demanding ransom. Five members of this syndicate were arrested by the police.
Till now, 25 people have been rescued from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Baldish Kaur, Gurjit Singh, Sahil Bhatti, Som Raj and Veena, residents of Hoshiarpur, were arrested along with 640 grams of gold, seven mobile phones, and four cars.
Police said Sunny Kumar, a Hoshiarpur resident who lives in Indonesia, and Jasvir Singh, alias Sanjay, who lives in Singapore, are the kingpins of the human trafficking gang.
According to Mohali SSP Dr Sandeep Garg, “the suspects used to lure the youths by promising them a trip to the US and Europe via Mexico, Indonesia, and Singapore.”. In order to entrap the family, they used to claim that the money would only be taken after the candidate reached the US. Upon reaching Bali, Singapore or Mexico, the victim was kidnapped on gunpoint and extorted. We were told the victims were beaten brutally and tortured until the money was transferred to their accounts. “The suspects are Punjabis living in the area.”
“Two cases have been registered against the gang, in Kharar and Balongi, according to SP (Investigation) Amandeep Singh Brar and DSP (Investigation) Gursher Singh Sandhu.”. Police have charged the suspects under sections 406, 420, 470, 386, 364, 370 of the IPC. The police have launched a helpline for the victims and their kin who have been caught up in this racket.” They are Abhishek, Sonia, Malkiat Singh, Toni, Bhupinder Singh, Bhinda, Sandeep Arthiya and Suman.
