‘Dunky’ route human trafficking case | ED attaches assets worth Rs 5.41 crore of three agents, several under scanner

“The action has been taken against properties derived from or equivalent to the proceeds of crime generated by agents Shubham Sharma, Jagjit Singh and Surmukh Singh, who were involved in illegally sending people to the US by misleading them with false promises of legal migration,” the official said.

All hail from Haryana, the official said, adding that the trio had been involved in the ‘dunky’ route network for a long time, playing different roles.

“They would target and lure youths and send them to other agents in their network. Also, they were specifically involved in procuring air tickets and arranging visitors’ visas for different countries,” the official said.

The ED initiated a probe into the illegal immigration and human trafficking racket based on multiple FIRs registered by the Punjab and Haryana Police under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (erstwhile IPC, 1860) and the Immigration Act, 1983, following the deportation of 330 Indian nationals, who had allegedly entered the US illegally, by the US government in February 2025.

ED investigations revealed that the accused agents and their associates would target gullible individuals by luring them with promises of legal entry into the US and would charge a hefty amount. However, instead of legal migration, they would be routed through dangerous and illegal pathways across several South American countries before being forced to cross the US-Mexico border unlawfully, the official said.

“During the journey, victims would face torture, extortion, coercion and even be made to commit illegal acts,” the ED said, adding: “The large sums of money collected through such fraudulent activities constituted proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).”

As part of their ongoing investigation, the ED conducted searches at 19 locations in Punjab and Haryana on July 9 and 11 under the provisions of the PMLA, leading to the recovery of incriminating documents and materials, including bogus immigration stamps, fake visa stamps, records and digital devices — “further strengthening the case against the accused”.

The ED official said further investigation was underway, and additional actions might follow as more evidence was being analysed and financial trails were uncovered.