Rs 35L donkey route fraud accused held

Hisar: The economic offences branch (EOB) of Fatehabad police has arrested the main accused in a case where a youth was allegedly duped of Rs 35 lakh and sent to the US through the illegal "donkey route". The accused, Satish of Samain village in Fatehabad, is being interrogated. The case was registered last year at Tohana Sadar police station under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on a complaint by the victim's family.According to police, Sukhwinder Singh alleged that Satish and his associates lured his son, Ankush, with the promise of facilitating his entry into the US, charging Rs 35 lakh for the arrangement.Investigators said the youth was routed through multiple countries, including Thailand, China, France, Brazil, Colombia and Panama, before being taken to Mexico. In Mexico, the accused allegedly confiscated his passport and mobile phone, and subjected him to harassment.While attempting to cross into the US illegally, Ankush was apprehended by American authorities and spent nearly nine months in jail before being deported to India.Police said efforts are on to identify and arrest other members of the network involved in the transnational trafficking and fraud racket.