Chandigarh Police Uncover ₹1.64 Crore Visa Loan Fraud; Three FIRs Registered Across City
A major visa–loan fraud totaling nearly ₹1.64 crore has come to light in Chandigarh, prompting police to register three separate FIRs in what investigators describe as an organized racket operating across multiple parts of the city. The fraud, officials say, involved several immigration and travel intermediaries who allegedly lured job-seekers with promises of overseas visas and quick-approval loans, only to disappear after collecting hefty advance payments.
According to police sources, most complainants were individuals hoping to secure employment abroad. They alleged that the accused firms demanded large sums for visa processing, job-placement services and loan arrangements tied to travel formalities. In many cases, victims were shown fabricated or misleading documents to build trust before the agents stopped responding altogether. Investigators are now tracing financial records, office registrations and digital communication trails to map the full scale of the operation.
One of the FIRs was lodged after a complainant accused a Sector-17–based immigration agency of systematic cheating — an area that has recently become a hotspot for immigration-related fraud complaints. Police teams have begun collecting statements from victims and analyzing bank transactions to identify the individuals running the operation, though no official list of arrests has been released so far.
The rising number of such cases reflects a broader pattern across the tri-city region and neighboring districts, where hundreds of immigration-fraud complaints have surfaced over the last year. Experts attribute this spike to aggressive online advertising by unlicensed agents, the complexity of overseas recruitment processes and the growing desperation among youth seeking quick access to foreign job markets.
Officers familiar with the investigation say the racket relied on a predictable modus operandi:
• demanding high upfront fees for visa or job documentation,
• offering short-term loans supposedly linked to visa approvals, and
• providing victims with forged documents to maintain credibility.
Earlier investigations into similar firms revealed that many maintain polished office setups and websites to appear legitimate while frequently switching phone numbers, addresses and even business names.
Officials have urged all affected individuals to approach their nearest police station or the UT cyber-crime wing, carrying proof such as receipts, WhatsApp chats, emails and bank transfer records. Authorities have also advised visa aspirants to verify the legal credentials of consultancies, request stamped invoices for every payment and avoid large cash or informal transfers.
Consumer-rights groups have welcomed the prompt action but stressed the need for stronger preventive measures, including stricter regulation of immigration consultants, enforced disclosure of service charges and mandatory escrow-style safeguards for large transactions. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police confirmed that investigations into all three FIRs are ongoing and that coordination with agencies in neighbouring states may be required as more leads emerge.
The police have appealed to the public to report any suspicious immigration-related activity and assured that further updates will be shared as the probe advances.