Women lured with job offers, trafficked to Dubai; racket controlled by Bilal

KOCHI: Police have uncovered crucial details in the human trafficking and sex racket case allegedly operated under the guise of modelling jobs. Investigators found that the racket was controlled by the main accused Bilal, a native of Mavelikkara.

Police found that Bilal met another accused, Sindhu, a native of Guruvayur, while working in Dubai. The two later joined hands and allegedly started a human trafficking and sex racket operation. As the racket expanded, Bilal reportedly quit his job in Dubai and returned to Kerala to manage the activities.

The gang allegedly trapped young women by offering jobs such as modelling and makeup artist work. The investigation team believes Bilal and Sindhu trafficked several women to Dubai as part of the racket.

Police said advertisements offering jobs usually carried Sindhu’s phone number. When young women contacted her, Bilal would personally meet them and also speak to their families to gain their trust. The women were later taken to Dubai.

Sindhu told police that she had been organising event management programmes in Dubai for the past 14 years. She claimed to conduct up to three events a year and said celebrity appearances were part of the shows. Police are now planning to record statements from celebrities who participated in these programmes.

Meanwhile, police are also likely to question gangster leader Aurangzeb in connection with the case. Investigators reportedly found evidence that Sindhu transferred money to Aurangzeb’s bank account. The remand report also points to Sindhu’s links with criminal gangs. Apart from Sindhu and Bilal, police have arrested Aleena Abraham from Thiruvananthapuram and Manjima from Ponnani. The other accused in the case are Shamla and Rahmath. Police have started efforts to bring them back and arrest them.