A family in Punjab says its 18-year-old son has been missing for more than three months after allegedly being taken through a network of unauthorized migration routes despite promises that he would be sent legally to the United States.

Police in the northern Indian state have registered a fraud case against three people, including a woman, following allegations that the family paid approximately 4.4 million rupees (about C$72,000) to immigration facilitators who claimed they could arrange lawful travel for the teenager.

According to investigators, the accused have been booked under provisions of India's criminal code and the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.

The missing youth, identified as Chhinderpal Singh from Khundar Gatti village in Ferozepur district, left India in December 2024 after completing high school, his family said.