In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Immigration Fraud Unit of Panchkula Police has dismantled a large inter-state gang accused of duping people on the pretext of securing work visas for Finland, Australia, and Italy. The special unit has arrested five suspects and recovered a substantial amount of cash along with dozens of passports, electronic devices, and forged documents.
According to officials, the gang had already cheated eight youths of ₹48.25 lakh by promising them overseas employment opportunities. Shockingly, investigators found that one of the accused is a national-level boxing player, adding an unexpected twist to the case.
Major Recoveries
During the operation, police seized:
- ₹6.75 lakh in cash
- 8 mobile phones
- 1 laptop
- 40 passports from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh
- 4 Finnish TRC cards
- 6 chequebooks and multiple forged stamps
- 10 ATM cards
Additionally, authorities froze ₹4 lakh found in the bank account of prime accused Gurcharan Singh.
Complaint Originated From Sector-14 Consultancy
DCP Panchkula Srishti Gupta stated that the case originated from a complaint filed by a woman representative of WestEd Visa Solutions, located in Sector 14. Following the complaint, a case was registered on 22 July 2025, prompting an investigation that ultimately exposed the entire network.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Gurcharan Singh (Nawanshahr, Punjab)
- Shahbaz alias Prajapati (Maharashtra)
- Aniket alias Rishi (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
- Anshu Kumar (Delhi)
- Ajay Sethi (Sonipat, Haryana)
Police Commissioner Sibas Kaviraj reiterated that strict action will continue against anyone exploiting youth by promising lucrative overseas jobs. “Protecting the hard-earned money of our youth is our top priority,” he said.
Gurcharan Singh Identified as Mastermind
Investigations revealed that Gurcharan Singh projected himself as an authorized agent capable of securing genuine work permits. The complainant had handed over passports, documents, and ₹48.25 lakh belonging to eight aspirants. However, after delaying flight arrangements in March and April, Gurcharan allegedly disappeared, triggering the investigation that led to the gang’s downfall.
Arrests Across Multiple States
A dedicated team led by Anti-Immigration Fraud Unit in-charge Yogvindra Singh, assisted by ASI Sandeep and cyber expert Ramu Swami, carried out coordinated raids across India.
- 13 November: Gurcharan Singh arrested in Nawanshahr, Punjab
- 25 November: Shahbaz nabbed in Maharashtra; Aniket arrested from Jaipur
- Anshu Kumar caught in Delhi
- 30 November: Ajay Sethi arrested in Panipat
Police also discovered that Shahbaz, besides being involved in fraud, had previously competed as a national-level boxer. The gang had recently opened a new office in Jaipur to expand its operations.
Victims Confined in Hotel for a Month
Further investigation revealed that the accused had kept several job-seeking youths confined in a Mumbai hotel for nearly a month under the guise of “visa processing.” The gang operated using multiple fake identities and had pending criminal cases in several states.
- Gurcharan faces six cases in Punjab
- Ajay Sethi has four cases in Delhi and Sonipat
- Cases are also registered against Shahbaz and Aniket in Sirsa
Police said efforts are underway to trace additional members of the network.
