Vadodara: A man from Jhankhariya village and a woman from Vasad in Anand district, allegedly trafficked to Azerbaijan by Mumbai-based agents, are now safe at the Indian Embassy, Anand MP Mitesh Patel said on Tuesday.

Patel stated that the victims, Dhruv Patel and Dipika Patel, were secured within 24 hours after he raised the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two were reportedly lured with promises of travel to the United States via Canada, while their families alleged extortion, assault, and threats of organ trafficking, claiming ₹65 lakh was paid as ransom, partly in cryptocurrency.

According to the MP, both victims left Vadodara for Delhi on January 30 and flew to Baku on February 1, where their phones were switched off and ransom demands followed.

As per the MP’s representation submitted to the MEA, Dhruv’s family paid ₹35 lakh in cash to the original Mumbai-based agent and ₹15 lakh in USDT cryptocurrency to a suspected handler, while Dipika’s family transferred another ₹15 lakh in cryptocurrency.

Later, based on family complaints, Anand Town police registered an FIR against five persons and transferred the probe to the Local Crime Branch, which is working to trace the agents. Patel also urged youths to avoid illegal migration routes and fraudulent travel agents. DeshGujarat