New Delhi, December 2024: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India has launched a major investigation into the alleged involvement of more than 260 Canadian colleges in a human trafficking and money laundering operation. The scheme is believed to have enabled the illegal migration of thousands of Indian nationals to the United States under the guise of student visas.
Tragic Beginning
The probe stems from the January 2022 death of a four-member Indian family from Gujarat, who froze to death while attempting to cross the Canada-US border. The tragedy exposed a network exploiting educational pathways to facilitate illegal immigration, prompting authorities to act.
Key Findings of the Investigation
How the Scheme Operated
The ED’s investigation revealed that individuals were charged between ₹55 lakh and ₹60 lakh (approximately $66,000 to $72,000) to secure admission into Canadian colleges. Once they arrived in Canada on student visas, many were smuggled across the US border instead of attending classes.
In many cases, tuition fees paid to these colleges were refunded to the students’ accounts after their arrival, suggesting collusion between the institutions and trafficking agents.
Widespread Network
The operation reportedly facilitated the migration of around 35,000 Indian students annually. Two entities, based in Mumbai and Nagpur, referred 25,000 and 10,000 students, respectively, to Canadian colleges. A vast network of agents—1,700 in Gujarat and 3,500 across India, with 800 still active—helped orchestrate the process.
Colleges Under Scrutiny
Among the 260 institutions under investigation, 112 colleges are linked to the Mumbai-based entity and over 150 to the Nagpur-based group. Many of these colleges are located near the Canada-US border, raising suspicions of their role in facilitating illegal crossings.
Recent Enforcement Actions
In December 2024, the ED conducted raids across eight locations, including Mumbai and Nagpur, seizing incriminating documents and freezing bank accounts amounting to ₹19 lakh (approximately $23,000). The operation marks a significant step in uncovering the broader network.
Broader Implications
This investigation places Canadian educational institutions under intense scrutiny, raising questions about their admission practices and oversight of international student programs. The revelations also pose challenges to India-Canada diplomatic ties, as both nations face pressure to address human trafficking concerns.
Unanswered Questions
- How deeply are Canadian colleges implicated in the trafficking network?
- What measures will be taken against these institutions?
- How many students were victims of this racket, and what support can they expect?
- What role did Indian agents play, and how will they be held accountable?
- Are there specific Canadian colleges more heavily involved in the scheme?
The ED’s findings underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations and international cooperation to combat human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable individuals through education and migration pathways.
