A case of cheating has been registered in Samrala after a man alleged that he was defrauded of ₹5 lakh on the pretext of being sent abroad. The accused include a local shop owner and an immigration agent who allegedly promised to arrange his travel to New Zealand.

According to the complaint, the victim stated that in July 2023 he was introduced to Varun Kumar, owner of a watch shop operating under the name “VK Watch” in Samrala, and Vishal Sharma, who presented himself as an immigration agent. The two allegedly assured the complainant that they would facilitate his New Zealand visa and overseas settlement.

Trusting their claims, the victim reportedly paid them a total amount of ₹5 lakh in multiple instalments for visa processing and related formalities. However, months passed without any progress in the visa process. Despite repeated follow-ups, the accused allegedly avoided giving clear answers and failed to provide any valid documents.

When the promised work was not completed and the money was not returned, the victim realised he had been cheated and approached the police. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the law and initiated an investigation.

Police officials said that the role of both accused is being examined and further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. They also advised the public to remain cautious and verify the credentials of immigration agents before making any payments, as cases of overseas job and visa fraud continue to rise.