Gujarat Family’s Frozen Death at U.S. Border Reveals Education Visa Scam

In a heart-wrenching tragedy that sent shockwaves across two continents, the frozen bodies of four members of a family from Gujarat, India, were found just metres from the U.S. border in Manitoba, Canada, on January 19, 2022. Jagdish Patel, his wife, and two children were attempting to cross into the U.S. on foot, but the perilous journey ended in disaster as they succumbed to the brutal cold.

This devastating incident was the tip of the iceberg, revealing an elaborate human trafficking operation involving fraudulent education visas, an illicit network spanning continents, and the tragic consequences faced by those desperate for a better life.

The Gujarat family frozen to death near the Manitoba border sparked a deep investigation by Indian authorities into how such an operation could thrive. Soon after the chilling discovery, the Gujarat Crime Branch launched a full-scale probe and swiftly arrested Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, Dashrath Pratap Chaudhary, and Yogesh Chunilal Patel.

In May 2023, charges were filed against them for their alleged roles in this complex syndicate. Indian law enforcement worked closely with international agencies, including Canada and the United States, to track the extensive web of illegal migration.

The Modus Operandi: Education Visas as a Front for Human Trafficking

The investigation uncovered that the traffickers had devised a cunning strategy to exploit the education visa system. Central to this operation was Yogesh Patel, who, along with his associates, allegedly founded an education consultancy firm in 2018. The firm falsely advertised itself as providing guidance for overseas education but was instead a cover for human trafficking. For a staggering fee of ₹60 lakh per person, the syndicate facilitated travel to Canada under the guise of higher education.

According to officials, individuals were enrolled in Canadian colleges, allowing them to secure student visas. However, in many cases, these students never stepped foot in the educational institutions. Instead, they became victims of a larger scheme aimed at smuggling them into the U.S. through Canada’s porous borders.

The tragedy of the Gujarat family frozen to death near the Manitoba border underscored the dangers these victims faced as they were shepherded through treacherous conditions, often with little understanding of the risks involved. In this particular case, the trafficked individuals, including Jagdish Patel’s family, were lured with false promises and taken on a deadly route to the U.S., where their dreams ended in the harsh winter of Manitoba.

Gujarat: A Web of International Players and Financial Corruption

The probe didn’t stop at local arrests. As the investigation deepened, authorities discovered links to international operatives. One of the key figures, Fenilkumar Kantilal Patel, was reportedly based in Saskatchewan, Canada, and was instrumental in transporting victims to the border. Another player, identified as Bitta Singh, also played a critical role in the syndicate. Despite requests from Indian authorities, Canada has yet to extradite or take decisive action against these suspects.

Financially, the syndicate operated through a highly sophisticated method. By tracing money trails, investigators uncovered bank accounts set up in the name of victims, which the traffickers controlled. Large sums of money, often around ₹30 lakh per person, were transferred to these accounts, and part of the funds was used to pay the initial college fees. The remaining amounts were locked into fixed deposits, allowing the traffickers to launder funds across borders.

Further revelations came when the authorities examined a financial ledger maintained by Yogesh Patel’s firm. It listed 150 individuals suspected to have been trafficked to the U.S. illegally. The investigation also revealed that over 8,500 transactions were conducted between September 2021 and August 2024, with some involving the same names, indicating duplicated identities. The probe showed that many of the funds paid to colleges in Canada had been refunded after victims failed to attend classes.

The Tragic End of Gujarat Family and the Arrest of “Dirty Harry”

The final phase of the operation was revealed when U.S. Border Patrol arrested a man named Steve Shand on January 19, 2022, the same day the Gujarat family was found frozen to death. Shand was reportedly hired by a man known as “Dirty Harry,” later identified as Harshkumar Raamanlal Patel, who was arrested in February 2024 for his involvement in the trafficking ring.

The Gujarat family’s tragic death near the Manitoba border is a poignant reminder of the desperation that drives people to seek a better life, even at the risk of their lives. It also highlights the insidious nature of human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable individuals, making false promises, and reaping profits from their suffering.