Mystery deepens into Kochi woman's complaint over human trafficking to Kuwait

Kochi: The mystery surrounding the incident where a young lady was scammed promising a caretaker's job in Kuwait is deepening. The complainant alleged that she was forced to do hard labour and tortured by a Kuwaiti lady.

Based on a complaint lodged by the Kochi native, the police registered a case under various charges, including IPC Section 370, human trafficking, etc. She also mentioned the name of two other women from Kerala, alleged to have been scammed by the same agency. With recent developments, the case is likely to be handed over to NIA.

Meanwhile, police nabbed Ajumon, a Ernakulam native and one of the two accused in the case. Majeed, a Kannur native and one of the prime accused, is still absconding.

The complainant alleged that Majeed and a ‘Kuwait' citizen called ‘Mama' was behind the scam. The complainant said she approached the agency after seeing an advertisement published looking for a caretaker in Kuwait.

Majeed's recruiting agency offered her salary of Rs 60,000 per month. “When I reached the office, I was assured of a free ticket and visa. He also showed pictures of some women to prove they were living in good conditions,” she said.

She was forced to hand over her passport to a stranger after arriving at Dubai airport. She added that he threatened her by telling that serious repercussions would follow if she refused.

Later, she was taken from Dubai to Majeed's office in Kuwait. She met other women who arrived there like her. Later, a Kuwaiti woman called ‘Mama' took her away. It is alleged that Majeed received a sum of Rs 3.5 lakh in this deal.

I only received water and two kuboos as food at her house. I was initially told to look after the children but was made to do daily chores. The work starts in the morning and lasts till midnight. I had to take care of the children and do all the housework,” she says in her complaint.

There are complaints that she was tortured when she refused to do the hard labour.

She was brought to Majeed's office after refusing to do any more hard labour. According to the complaint, Majeed demanded Rs 3.5 lakh from her husband when he told Majeed to send her back to Kerala. The complaint also alleges that he threatened to sell her to ISIS, a terrorist organization if she did not pay the required money.