A fresh case of alleged visa fraud has surfaced in Jalandhar, where a family has accused a travel agent of duping them of ₹37 lakh on the pretext of sending them abroad. The victims, residents of Ambala, claim that despite repeated complaints, the police have not taken concrete action so far.
According to the complainants, Amrik Singh and his wife Pooja, they came into contact with Francis Masih, an active member of the Ankur Narula Church, during a religious program. They alleged that Masih projected himself as a well-connected person within the church and assured them that he could arrange their Canada tourist visas and travel within days.
The family says Masih showed them passports, air tickets, and other documents—later suspected to be forged—before collecting a total of ₹37 lakh from them. Pooja claimed the money was taken in the name of her husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, with the promise that their flights would be arranged “within five days.” However, nearly 18 months have passed, and none of the promised travel arrangements materialized.
The victims further alleged that Masih retained their original passports and kept delaying their travel under various excuses. Pooja said they believed him because he participated actively in church events and repeatedly claimed to be “a close associate” of Ankur Narula, which helped him win their trust.
When the situation worsened, the family approached another church-associated individual, Gaurav Pradhan, who reportedly assured them he would help recover the money. But after months of follow-ups, no progress was made.
The victims also claim that several more people are prepared to come forward with similar allegations against the same group, indicating a possible larger fraud network operating under the guise of faith and overseas opportunities.
Amrik Singh said he filed a formal complaint with the police, but no substantial action has been taken yet. Social activist Bhana Sidhu has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against the accused, warning that if authorities fail to act, the matter will be escalated and public protests may follow.
The complainants have urged law-enforcement agencies to intervene promptly, recover their money, and prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
