Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Two Youths Killed in Guatemala on 'Dunki' Route
Two young men, Saheb and Yuvraj, from India dreamed of finding jobs in the United States.
They took a very dangerous and illegal path called the 'dunki' route.
This journey took them far away to Guatemala.
There, they were kidnapped by bad people known as 'donkers,' who are smugglers.
The smugglers sent scary videos of the young men being hurt and demanded a lot of money from their families, selling land and jewelry to pay.
Yuvraj's family believes some of the money they paid never reached the kidnappers because local agents kept it.
Sadly, even after the families paid, the young men were killed.
Their families only found out the truth through unofficial channels, like photos and hospital certificates, and are now heartbroken and struggling.
Two young Indian men, Saheb Singh (21, Punjab) and Yuvraj Singh (18, Haryana), were killed by traffickers in Guatemala.
They were attempting to enter the US illegally via the dangerous 'dunki' route.
Families paid between Rs 40-50 lakh each, selling assets and taking loans, for their journey and ransom.
The victims were kidnapped by smugglers ('donkers') and allegedly tortured; their families received proof of death after further payments.
Yuvraj's family suspects local agents in Haryana may have kept ransom money, leading to the arrest of three agents.
- Who
- Saheb Singh (21, Punjab) and Yuvraj Singh (18, Haryana)
- What
- Killed by human traffickers ('donkers') in Guatemala after being kidnapped and subjected to ransom demands.
- When
- Journey started October 13, 2024; kidnapped around December 2024; likely killed around March 2025; families received proof of death recently.
- Where
- Guatemala, while attempting to reach the United States via the illegal 'dunki' route.
- Why
- They were seeking employment in the US to support their families.
Victims' Families' Accounts
Traffickers' Actions and Agents' Involvement
Financial Transactions and Payment
Victims' Families' Accounts
Families paid substantial amounts (Rs 40-50 lakh each) to travel agents in India for safe passage and later to kidnappers as ransom.
Traffickers' Actions and Agents' Involvement
Traffickers ('donkers') demanded money, including for proof of death, and operated along the dangerous 'dunki' route.
Role of Local Agents
Victims' Families' Accounts
Yuvraj's family believes that local agents in Haryana did not forward all the ransom money to the actual kidnappers, leading to the arrest of three agents.
Traffickers' Actions and Agents' Involvement
Two local travel agents involved in facilitating the illegal migration have been arrested by the police.
Timeline of Death and Communication
Victims' Families' Accounts
Families suspect that the young men may have been killed much earlier (around March 2025) and that traffickers used old video clips to extort more money.
Traffickers' Actions and Agents' Involvement
The traffickers demanded ransom and sent proof of death, including photos and death certificates, after the victims were killed.
- Victim 1 Name
- Saheb Singh
- Victim 1 Age
- 21
- Victim 2 Name
- Yuvraj Singh
- Victim 2 Age
- 18
- Victim Origin
- Punjab and Haryana, India
- Destination
- United States
- Transit Location
- Guatemala
- Alleged Trafficking Cost
- Rs 40-50 lakh per person
Sources
Haryana Teen, Heading To US Via 'Dunki' Route, Killed In Guatemala After Being Held Captive
Haryana youth headed to US via ‘Dunki’ route, killed in Guatemala after ransom demands by traffickers