TORONTO (Diya TV) — Author and podcaster Kushal Mehra, an Indo-Canadian YouTuber, has revealed that he personally helped 13 Indian girls return home after they became victims of human trafficking in Canada. Mehra has urged Indian families to rethink sending their children to Canada for higher education, warning about rising cases of racism, exploitation, and joblessness among international students.

In an interview with journalist Ravinder Singh Robin, Mehra said he has spent his own money to rescue Indian girls trapped in sex trafficking networks. “In the last three years, I have personally sent 13 girls back to India at my own cost because they were being sexually trafficked,” he said. “Please don’t come to Canada.”

Mehra, who has lived in Canada since 2001, shared that many victims were lured by false promises made by immigration agents. These girls, he said, came from India after spending ₹40–50 lakh ($45-50,000 USD) on their journey. “They have sold over 50 percent of their land. They have nothing to fall back on… what will they do after going back to India? These touts take advantage of this desperation,” he added.

According to Mehra, the problem is widespread. He estimated that in Toronto alone, more than 4,000 women of Indian origin are now involved in the sex trade, many of whom were deceived by agents offering fake jobs or education opportunities.

Human trafficking cases involving Indian students and migrants in Canada have risen in recent years. Advocates say economic distress and fake college admissions are driving young people into exploitative situations. Mehra’s warning has reignited concerns about the safety of Indian students abroad and the ethics of Canada’s international education system.

Mehra said that many Indian students move to Canada with the dream of obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) but end up facing low wages, discrimination, and poor living conditions. “Many students go to Canada with dreams of obtaining PR,” Mehra explained. “But Canadian colleges and universities are selling fake promises and diplomas.”

He pointed to the rise of “diploma mills” — private institutions that charge high fees while offering courses with little job value. Around 2019, Mehra said, several such institutions started visiting India, claiming that students could easily get PR after studying in Canada. “If it’s a reputed university like Waterloo, York, or Western, that’s different,” he clarified. “But if someone offers you a diploma mill admission, it’s a trap that will destroy your future.”

Mehra also highlighted how Canada’s immigration boom has worsened housing and job shortages. He said the 2020 labor shortage prompted the Canadian government to expand immigration, which in turn triggered a housing crisis and increased public resentment.

He linked the surge in immigration to Motion M44, passed in 2022, which allowed international students to work full-time. Before the pandemic, Canada admitted around 300,000 new residents each year. That figure has now climbed to nearly 1 million, according to Mehra.

This increase has caused rents in Greater Toronto to jump from $500–700 per room to more than $1,200, leaving students struggling to afford basic living expenses. “Young people come here believing they’ll find success,” Mehra said. “Instead, many end up exploited or homeless.”

Mehra urged Indian parents to avoid falling prey to fake agents and colleges. He encouraged them to look for educational opportunities within India instead. “If you can’t get a seat in Punjab, go to Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, or Jammu,” he advised. “Please don’t send your children to Canada through fake colleges or agents. If you have land, farm it. India has good universities — send your children there.”

His appeal comes at a time when Canada’s relationship with India remains tense, and reports of racism and exploitation against Indian students are increasing. As Mehra’s revelations gain attention online, his warning serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of overseas education and the urgent need for awareness among Indian families.