Human Trafficking Ring Busted: Facebook Friendship Leads to Sale of Meghalaya Woman for Rs 3 Lakh in Rajasthan

Police have dismantled a multi-state human trafficking operation with the arrest of three individuals, including a female suspect, connected to the sale of a young Meghalaya woman for Rs 3 lakh and her subsequent forced marriage in Rajasthan, authorities announced on Tuesday.

The investigation has revealed links to a broader trafficking network believed responsible for selling at least six young women—five from Assam's Boko region and one from Tripura—over a two-year period.

Authorities suspect numerous other women from Northeast India have fallen victim to the same trafficking ring, which appears to operate across Assam, Meghalaya, and Rajasthan.

The case began unfolding after a missing person report was filed on June 11 at the Nongpoh Women Police Station in Ri Bhoi district regarding a young woman's disappearance from Byrnihat area. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act.

Investigators discovered the missing woman had been transported to Rajasthan, where she managed to escape captivity. With assistance from Rajasthan Police, she was rescued and returned safely to Meghalaya.

The survivor told authorities she had formed a friendship with an Assam man through Facebook who promised marriage and persuaded her to travel to Delhi and Rajasthan. Upon arrival, she was allegedly sold to another man for Rs 3 lakh and forced into marriage, according to Ri-Bhoi district SP Vivekanand Singh.

Following coordination across multiple state police departments, authorities identified and apprehended the suspects. The primary accused, 31-year-old Rajesh Hinge from Kumarghat in North Tripura, was arrested in Guwahati on October 19.

Based on his statement, police arrested another suspect, 31-year-old Md Khalil Ali from Boko in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district, two days later in Jhalukbari.

Additional investigation led to the capture of the alleged mastermind, Monika, a Rajasthan native, at Kamakhya Railway Station on October 26.

Police indicated all three suspects are under interrogation and additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Initial findings reveal a consistent pattern: traffickers utilize social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to befriend young women, establish trust through extended communication, and ultimately lure them to travel beyond their home states with deceptive promises of marriage or employment before selling them elsewhere.

Authorities warned that this methodology is increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Northeast India.

"Children and youth must remain vigilant and immediately inform parents or authorities if approached online by strangers offering marriage, employment or travel opportunities," the SP cautioned.

Police also noted that similar approaches are commonly used in cybercrimes including blackmail, UPI fraud and extortion schemes.

Social media users were advised against clicking suspicious links or installing unknown applications that could compromise their devices and personal data.

Authorities continue working to identify additional victims connected to the network while coordinating with law enforcement in Assam, Tripura and Rajasthan to completely dismantle the trafficking operation.