An Indian man’s attempt to reach the United States through an illegal migration network saw him deported from Kenya before spending three days in a Russian jail.
Gurwinder Singh, who travelled using a fake passport, was first denied entry in Nairobi before later being arrested in Belarus while attempting to cross the border illegally.
Singh’s journey cost him Ksh12.4 million (Rs 69.40 lakh), which he paid to multiple travel agents. His wife, Hardeep Kaur, reported the ordeal to Indian authorities, leading to a police case against five travel agents.
According to the complaint, Singh’s ordeal was part of an elaborate scheme that promised a safe passage to the US.
Two Indian passports on display
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High Commission of India
Singh left his home in December 2023, seeking better opportunities abroad. His first attempt involved flying to Nairobi on a tourist visa after paying Ksh2.2 million (Rs 12.50 lakh). However, Kenyan authorities turned him away, forcing him to return to Mumbai and disrupting his initial attempt to migrate.
Determined, Singh and his wife engaged more travel agents who promised to facilitate his entry into the US through Russia. In March 2024, Singh was sent to Thailand after paying another Ksh1.5 million (Rs 8.50 lakh). Instead of being routed to the US, he was directed to Moscow, Russia.
Back in India, his wife was pressured into making additional payments, including Ksh1.1 million (Rs 6.50 lakh) for a supposed ticket to Mexico. However, Singh was instead taken to Belarus and forced to cross the border illegally. There, he was caught by the Belarusian army and detained, leading to three harrowing days in a Russian jail.
After his release, Singh was sent to Abu Dhabi on a tourist visa before being redirected back to India. Desperate, the couple sought help from another agent, Satnam Singh, who demanded Ksh5.7 million (Rs 32 lakh) for a final attempt. Singh was sent to Guyana, followed by Brazil, with his wife paying an additional Ksh1.8 million (Rs 10 lakh) for his journey.
Taking the perilous route, Singh crossed the Panama jungle, Guatemala, and Mexico, eventually reaching the US-Mexico border. Back home, his wife made yet another payment of Ksh2.3 million (Rs 13 lakh). On January 25, Singh reached the US, only to be detained and deported.
On February 15, Singh landed in Amritsar among a group of deportees from the US. However, his troubles worsened when Indian authorities arrested him upon arrival due to pending non-bailable warrants for a 2021 snatching case in Ludhiana.
Police records also revealed his involvement in two additional criminal cases of robbery and snatching in Ludhiana and Faridkot.
A section of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
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Mumbai Airport