A Haryana-based travel vlogger has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The woman, known for her popular YouTube channel “Travel with Jo”, is accused of passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
According to officials, she visited Pakistan in 2023 after getting a visa through commission agents. During her trip, she came in contact with a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, who allegedly introduced her to several Pakistani intelligence operatives. Authorities say this individual, identified as Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, played a central role in recruiting her and others into the network. He has since been declared persona non grata and expelled from India.
After returning to India, the YouTuber continued to stay in touch with Pakistani agents using encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She reportedly shared sensitive information about locations in India and was also encouraged to present a positive image of Pakistan on her social media platforms. Officials say she also developed a personal relationship with one of the operatives and even traveled to Bali, Indonesia with him.
She has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. A written confession has been recorded, and the case has now been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing in Hisar for further investigation.
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Another key person arrested is a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab. Her involvement began when she visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to apply for a visa. It was there that she met Danish, the same official who had earlier recruited the YouTuber.
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Over time, he gained her trust through romantic messages and video calls. He even promised to marry her, creating an emotional connection that officials believe was used to manipulate her. Once trust was established, financial transactions began. On March 7, she received ₹10,000 through PhonePe. On March 23, another ₹20,000 came through Google Pay. Danish then instructed her to transfer parts of this money—₹1,800, ₹899, ₹699, and ₹3,000 — to specific individuals.
She later returned to the High Commission on April 23, this time with a friend from her hometown, also a widow. Both women were again assisted in getting visas. Officials say the financial and emotional support they received was part of a larger plan to recruit and control vulnerable individuals.
A Widening Spy Ring Across States
Besides the blogger and the widow from Punjab, four more people have been arrested. Each played a role in the alleged spy network, which spread across Haryana and Punjab.
One man from Malerkotla reportedly helped Danish with moving money and managing visa arrangements. A Sikh student from Kaithal, Haryana, was recruited during a religious pilgrimage to Pakistan. He allegedly recorded and shared videos of a military area in Patiala.
Another suspect from Nuh, Haryana, is accused of supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers, transferring funds, and attending the Defence Expo 2025 on instructions received through encrypted platforms.
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All six accused are said to have confessed during the investigation. Officials have revealed that the entire operation was built on targeting emotionally and financially vulnerable individuals. The agents used tricks like fake love, promises of marriage, and monetary gifts to win trust and gain information.
Authorities stress that this case is part of a larger espionage network operating through digital communication and emotional manipulation. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may come to light as authorities dig deeper into the activities of the group.
