CBI busts job scam ring deceiving Indian youths into joining Russian Army

The Central Bureau of Investigation on March 7 busted a major human trafficking racket that involves conning Indians to work for the Russian Army with fake job offers.

The move comes after two Indians lost their lives on the frontlines of the conflict with Ukraine.

According to local media reports, the CBI officials raided 10 locations in seven cities that includes Delhi, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai, and Chennai in connection with the job scam.

The CBI's case also names Dubai-based Faisal Khan alias Baba, who runs the YouTube channel Baba Vlogs.

The CBI has registered cases against various visa consultancy firms and agents for sending young Indians to Russia in the name of lucrative jobs, the Hindustan Times reported.

CBI said 35 such cases have been found and certain suspects have been detained for questioning at various locations.

Over Rs 50 lakh, incriminating documents, electronic records like laptops, mobiles, desktops etc., have been seized.

On March 6, several reports emerged that a second Indian national died while serving with the Russian Army. The Indian embassy in Moscow confirmed the death of Indian national Mohammed Asfan in a post on X. The 30-year-old from Hyderabad travelled to Russia late last year and reports have said he was seriously injured along with two other Indians in hostilities in a conflict zone last month. According to Asfan’s family, he is survived by his wife and two children.

Mohd Asfan’s elder brother Mohammad Imran said he went to Russia on a flight from Chennai via Sharjah in November 2023.

“We have learnt about the tragic death of an Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with the family and Russian authorities. Mission will make efforts to send his mortal remains to India,” the Indian embassy posted on X.

Earlier on February 27, 23-year-old Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangukiya, a resident of Surat in Gujarat, lost his life in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a “security helper” with the Russian Army at Donetsk, a part of Ukraine occupied by Russia. Mangukiya travelled to Russia last December.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that around 20 Indians have joined the Russian Army.

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