Quick Summary
- 425 immigration fraud cases registered in Karnal over the last 2.5 years
- Alleged fraud amount exceeds ₹170 crore
- Police traced 391 cases and arrested 239 agents
- Recovery of money remains extremely low
- Victims who lost ₹45–50 lakh are settling cases for ₹5–10 lakh
- Around 170 cases have already ended in compromise settlements
- Police say most accused have been arrested and cases are pending in court
Karnal’s ₹170 Crore Immigration Fraud Crisis: Victims Losing Hope of Recovery
A massive immigration fraud crisis has emerged in Haryana’s Karnal district, where hundreds of families allegedly lost their life savings while pursuing overseas opportunities.
According to official figures, 425 cases of immigration fraud have been registered in Karnal over the last two and a half years. The total alleged fraud amount is estimated at approximately ₹170 crore.
While police have made significant arrests and solved hundreds of cases, victims are increasingly losing hope of recovering their money. Many are now settling cases in court for a fraction of the amount they originally paid to agents.
239 Agents Arrested, Yet Recovery Remains Minimal
Police records show that authorities have taken extensive action against immigration fraud networks operating in the region.
Karnal Immigration Fraud Statistics
| Year | Cases Registered | Cases Traced | Arrests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142 | 130 | 115 |
| 2025-26 | 269 | 261 | 124 |
| Total | 425 | 391 | 239 |
Although 391 out of 425 cases have been traced and 239 agents have been arrested, victims say actual recovery of money remains extremely limited.
Victims Paid ₹45–50 Lakh, Settling for ₹5–10 Lakh
According to legal professionals handling these cases, many immigration agents allegedly collected between ₹45 lakh and ₹50 lakh per applicant on promises of overseas jobs, work permits, and settlement opportunities.
Investigators believe these operations often function through a complex chain of intermediaries, making it difficult for authorities to trace and recover the original funds.
As a result, many families are accepting settlements worth only a small percentage of their losses.
Several victims who allegedly lost tens of lakhs of rupees are now agreeing to settlements ranging between ₹3 lakh and ₹10 lakh.
More Than 170 Cases Already Settled
Court records indicate that approximately 170 immigration fraud cases have already been settled through compromise agreements.
Many complainants reportedly choose settlements because:
- Court proceedings can continue for years
- Recovery chances remain uncertain
- Multiple agents are often involved
- Victims wish to avoid prolonged litigation
Legal experts say some victims have begun describing these matters as “mutual financial disputes” rather than fraud cases in court, resulting in weakened prosecution.
Case Study: Agent Amreek’s Cases
Advocate Ankit Datheda stated that immigration agent Amreek faced 18 criminal cases involving allegations of collecting nearly ₹40 lakh from each victim.
Of those cases:
- 14 have reportedly ended in settlements
- Victims recovered approximately ₹5–10 lakh each
- Many chose settlement over lengthy legal proceedings
Case Study: Agent Omprakash
Another agent, Omprakash, reportedly faced 40 criminal cases.
According to legal representatives:
- 38 cases have already been settled
- Several settlements were reached for approximately ₹10 lakh each
- Victims later testified in court in support of compromise agreements
Case Study: Agent Subhash
Advocate Lovepreet Singh Babbar said that agent Subhash faced six cases registered in 2020.
All six cases were eventually settled.
Victims reportedly accepted settlements ranging from:
💰 ₹2 lakh to ₹7 lakh
after being informed that the money had allegedly been distributed among multiple intermediaries.
Family Accepts ₹3 Lakh After Losing ₹14.50 Lakh
One of the most striking examples comes from Gharaunda resident Mamta, who claims her family paid:
💰 ₹14.50 lakh
to agents who promised to send her son and two nephews to Spain.
According to her account:
- One accused fled abroad
- Another remains in jail
- A third agent entered into a settlement
Eventually, the family accepted only:
💰 ₹3 lakh
to close the dispute.
The victims allege they were later provided fake travel tickets despite promises of overseas employment and accommodation.
Most Victims From Five Major Districts
According to information gathered during investigations, the majority of victims belong to:
- Karnal
- Kaithal
- Kurukshetra
- Ambala
- Panipat
Many families reportedly sold land, borrowed money, or used life savings to fund overseas immigration plans.
Police Response
Karnal Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarnia said police have been taking strict action against immigration fraud networks.
According to the SP:
“Police are taking strict action in immigration fraud cases. Accused have been arrested in almost all cases. Many matters are currently pending before the courts.”
Authorities maintain that legal proceedings are continuing and further action will depend on court outcomes.
Why Recovery Is So Difficult
Experts say recovery in immigration fraud cases is often challenging because:
- Money passes through multiple agents
- Funds are transferred to different accounts
- Some accused abscond abroad
- Assets are difficult to trace
- Victims settle before final court judgments
This creates a situation where criminal cases continue, but victims receive only a small portion of their original losses.
Final Thoughts
The Karnal immigration fraud figures reveal the scale of overseas migration scams affecting families across Haryana. Despite hundreds of arrests and ongoing court proceedings, many victims are choosing compromise settlements because recovering the full amount appears increasingly difficult.
The case highlights the importance of verifying immigration consultants, demanding written agreements, and independently checking overseas job or visa claims before making large financial commitments.
Source : Dainik Bhaskar
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