ED Attaches ₹5.41 Cr Assets in ‘Dunky Route’ Immigration Racket
Assets linked to agents who illegally sent Indians to US seized under PMLA
- ED provisionally attaches assets worth ₹5.41 crore
- Case linked to illegal migration to US via dangerous “dunky” route
- Agents accused of cheating aspirants with false promises of legal migration
- Probe initiated after deportation of 330 Indians from US
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Dec: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth approximately ₹5.41 crore in connection with an illegal immigration racket in which Indian nationals were sent unlawfully to the United States through the hazardous “dunky” route.
According to the ED, the attached assets are linked to agents Shubham Sharma, Jagjit Singh and Surmukh Singh, who allegedly facilitated illegal migration in exchange for large sums of money. The properties identified as proceeds of crime include agricultural land, residential houses, business premises and bank accounts held in the names of the accused agents and their family members. The attachment has been carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The money laundering investigation was initiated following multiple FIRs registered by police in Punjab and Haryana under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Immigration Act. The cases are linked to the deportation of 330 Indian nationals by the US government in February 2025 after they were found to have entered the country illegally.
ED investigations revealed that the agents cheated unsuspecting individuals by promising legal migration to the US. Victims were allegedly charged hefty amounts but were later routed through dangerous and illegal pathways via several South American countries, before being forced to cross into the US through the Mexico border.
During the journey, migrants were reportedly subjected to physical and mental abuse, extortion and coercion into committing illegal acts. The agency said the accused generated substantial proceeds of crime by exploiting the desperation of people seeking overseas employment and settlement opportunities.
On July 9 and 11, the ED conducted searches at 19 locations, during which incriminating materials were recovered, including fake immigration stamps, forged visa documents, records and digital devices. Further investigation into the racket and identification of additional beneficiaries and assets is currently underway.
