Karnal, Haryana: Two young men from Karnal, dreaming of a better future abroad, faced a terrifying reality after falling victim to a fraudulent travel agent. Promised a trip to Spain, they were instead sent to Iran, where human traffickers have now taken them hostage and are demanding a hefty ransom from their families.
Victims of Fraud
The incident involves two youths from Jamba and Dadupur villages in Karnal district:
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Hritik: 24 years old, resident of Jamba village
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Pawan: 40 years old, resident of Dadupur village
Both left their homes on October 22 to travel to Spain. According to their families, the agent charged each of them ₹17.5 lakh for the trip.
The Terrifying Journey
Following the agent’s plan, the youths first traveled to Kolkata, from where tickets were arranged to Bangkok. From Bangkok, they were sent to Tehran, Iran. Before reaching Spain, both got trapped by human traffickers in Tehran.
Hostage and Ransom Demand
The traffickers have reportedly beaten the youths and demanded a ransom of ₹20 lakh from their families. The families were alerted through a video in which the captors warned that the youths would not be released unless the demanded money was paid. This has left both families in deep shock and distress.
Families’ Plea and Administration Appeal
The victims’ families have appealed to the government for immediate intervention to ensure the safe return of their sons. They have also filed complaints against the responsible travel agent at the district secretariat and the local police station.
In response to this incident, local authorities have again urged the public to remain vigilant. People have been warned not to rely on fake agents or illegal “donkey routes” to travel abroad, as such paths not only endanger lives but can also cause severe financial and emotional harm to families.
