3 November 2026
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Duped, Trapped, and Imprisoned: The ‘Dunki’ Dilemma

A deadly racket promising overseas dreams has left hundreds trapped abroad, scammed of crores. Pilibhit’s donkey route exposed—terror links, fraudsters, and shattered lives at stake.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh – What started as a dream for a better life abroad turned into a horrifying nightmare for hundreds. A massive racket involving fake visas, forged educational certificates, and illegal migration through the infamous “Dunki route” has been exposed in Pilibhit. Led by ASP Vikram Dahiya, the crackdown has sent shockwaves through the region, revealing a murky underworld of fraudsters, illegal IELTS centers, and even suspected terrorist links.

Indian Masterminds had an exclusive conversation with the 2020 batch IPS officer to know more. Click on the link given below to watch the full interview-

DREAMS TURNED INTO NIGHTMARES

Over 70 IELTS centers operated in the region, luring victims with false promises of high scores and guaranteed visas. Families sold their land, liquidated savings, and took loans, believing they were securing a future abroad. Instead, many found themselves abandoned in hostile foreign lands, tortured by traffickers, or languishing in foreign jails.

THE PILIBHIT-PURANPUR CONNECTION

Investigators have now linked the racket to Puranpur and Pilibhit, areas emerging as key hubs for illegal migration. Intelligence reports indicate a network of agents operating between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, using fake documents to smuggle people across borders. In a chilling revelation, three suspected terrorists were recently killed in an encounter in Puranpur, raising fears that these illegal routes may have been exploited for more sinister purposes.

As investigations continue, a pressing question remains—how many more are trapped abroad, waiting for rescue? Will they be deported or prosecuted? And more importantly, can the authorities put an end to this deadly racket before more lives are ruined?

Watch the complete case now!


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