Visa scam in Gujarat: 23 duped of over Rs 8cr by agents

According to the FIR, the brokers had allegedly vowed the complainants’ visa to the US and Canada.

Introduction:

In a significant scam, as many as 23 people in Gujarat have been allegedly duped by visa agents, losing over Rs 8 crore. The victims, primarily farmers from Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Sabarkantha, were promised visas to the US and Canada.

FIR Lodged:

An FIR was lodged on June 18 at Infocity police station in Gandhinagar against four visa agents: Ankit Patel, his wife Aneri Patel, their friend Vishal Patel, and Ankit’s father Shaileshbhai Patel.

The complaint was filed by one of the victims, Jigneshkumar Patel. The FIR includes charges under IPC Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Modus Operandi:

According to the FIR, Jigneshkumar met Shaileshbhai two years ago at a social event. Shaileshbhai claimed his son, daughter-in-law, and their friend Vishal were visa agents at a consultancy named ‘Umiya Overseas’ in Kudasan, Gandhinagar.

Jigneshkumar approached them and was assured visas and Canadian citizenship for himself and his family at a cost of Rs 65 lakh. It was agreed that the money would be refunded if the work was not completed, with payments to be made in installments.

Payment and Documentation:

Jigneshkumar submitted his original documents, including passports, along with Rs 25 lakh in cash to the agents in February 2022, followed by another Rs 25 lakh in March that year.

Realization of the Scam:

Despite continuous follow-ups, Jigneshkumar received no response from the agents. He realized he had been cheated when he learned that Vishal had fled the country.

Subsequently, Shailesh and his family members also stopped responding to him. Visits to the consultancy firm’s office revealed that several others had been similarly defrauded by the agents.

Conclusion:

The case highlights the growing issue of visa fraud in Gujarat, where unsuspecting individuals are lured with promises of foreign visas and citizenship. The police investigation is ongoing, and the victims are seeking justice and the return of their money.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying the credibility of visa agents and agencies before engaging in any financial transactions.