A man from Nirpura village in Baghpat allegedly spent nearly 22 months held captive in Thailand and Malaysia after being promised a job abroad. The alleged agents reportedly lured him with a chocolate-packing job in Malaysia offering a monthly salary of ₹90,000, collected lakhs of rupees from him, and then sent him to Thailand instead. He was allegedly detained, assaulted, and later taken into Malaysia through an illegal route, with his family also allegedly forced to send additional money during the ordeal. After returning to India, the man allegedly faced death threats when he demanded his money back.
How the Alleged Fraud Began
The victim, Rohit Modha, said two youths from his village introduced him to their relatives from Deoband in Saharanpur district, who were involved in travel agency-related work. They allegedly assured him they could arrange a job in Malaysia involving chocolate packaging, with a monthly salary of ₹90,000. Believing the offer, Rohit agreed to travel abroad for employment.
According to his complaint, the accused visited his home in June 2022 and collected copies of his Aadhaar card and passport, along with photographs and other documents. They allegedly took a total of ₹5.39 lakh from him in several instalments, on the assurance that they would arrange his travel to Malaysia and obtain a work permit for him.
Sent to Thailand Instead — And Then Confined
However, in December 2022, Rohit was allegedly sent to Thailand instead of Malaysia. He claimed he was given only a one-month tourist visa, despite being promised a full work permit. Soon after reaching Thailand, people allegedly associated with the agents took possession of his passport and confined him.
Rohit alleged that when he objected to this deception, he was assaulted. The alleged handlers subsequently demanded another ₹1 lakh from his family, claiming the money was needed to arrange a work permit and take him across the Thailand-Malaysia border through an illegal route.
Nearly Two Years of Captivity
After being taken to Malaysia, Rohit allegedly never received the promised employment. Instead, he claimed he remained in captivity for nearly 22 months. During this period, his family was allegedly made to send another ₹1.14 lakh, with those holding him reportedly pressuring the family by describing his situation to them and demanding further payments as leverage.
After this prolonged confinement, the accused allegedly sent him back to Thailand through an illegal route. On July 10, 2024, Thai police reportedly arrested Rohit on charges related to illegal immigration. He said he remained in a Thai jail for around three months and paid a fine of 25,000 Thai baht before being deported back to India.
Threats After Returning Home
Rohit returned to India around eight months ago and subsequently approached the alleged agents in Deoband to seek the return of the money he had paid. According to his complaint, the accused initially asked for six months to return the amount. Once that period ended, he allegedly received threats when he again demanded his money back.
A Possible Wider Network
The victim has further alleged that the same group may have sent other youths abroad on similar promises, subsequently holding them captive to extract money from their families as well. Police are expected to verify this claim as part of the ongoing investigation.
What Police Are Investigating
Considering the seriousness of these allegations, Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan has directed Doghat police to investigate the matter. Investigators will examine the money allegedly paid to the agents, visa and travel documents, communications, and the circumstances surrounding Rohit's detention in Thailand and Malaysia.
Police will also verify the allegations concerning illegal border crossing, assault, additional payments, and threats. Officials said that if the allegations are substantiated during the investigation, a case will be registered against the alleged agents and strict legal action will follow. The investigation may also determine whether other victims were targeted through the same overseas employment network.
FAQs
Q1. How much money did the victim and his family allegedly pay in total?
Rohit was allegedly charged ₹5.39 lakh initially, with his family later forced to send an additional ₹1 lakh and ₹1.14 lakh during his captivity, bringing the total to over ₹7.5 lakh.
Q2. How was the victim eventually deported back to India?
Thai police arrested Rohit on illegal immigration charges on July 10, 2024, after which he spent around three months in a Thai jail, paid a fine of 25,000 Thai baht, and was subsequently deported to India.
Q3. What is the status of the investigation into this case?
Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan has directed Doghat police to investigate the allegations, including examining payment records, visa documents, and communications, with the possibility of expanding the probe to other potential victims.