A major Panipat Immigration Fraud case has come to light after a government driver currently posted at Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij’s residence alleged that agents took around ₹50 lakh from his family on the promise of sending his son to the United States.
According to the complaint, the son was initially promised a legal route to the US. However, the family alleges that he was instead sent through France and Mexico before allegedly entering the US illegally. American authorities detained him, and he reportedly spent around 14 months in a detention centre before being deported to India in December 2025.
The Old Industrial Area police in Panipat have registered a case against two people following the complaint. The allegations are under investigation and have not been established in court.
₹40 Lakh Deal Allegedly Turned Into ₹50 Lakh Payment
According to the complaint filed by Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Gohana, he came into contact with Manoj Kumar through his brother-in-law.
Rakesh is employed as a driver with the Haryana government and is currently posted at the residence of Anil Vij in Ambala Cantonment, according to the police complaint reported by The Tribune. His younger son, Navin Verma, is a mechanical engineering graduate.
Rakesh alleged that Manoj introduced him to Kuldeep, a travel agent from Gopal Colony in Panipat. During a meeting, Kuldeep allegedly assured the family that Navin could be sent to America through a legal, air-travel-based process.
The initial deal was reportedly fixed at ₹40 lakh.
However, according to the complaint, the family eventually paid approximately ₹50 lakh in different instalments.
The case has now become another serious example of Panipat Immigration Fraud, particularly because the family alleges that the promised legal migration route was replaced by an illegal journey.
Payments Made in Multiple Instalments
The family allegedly made the payments in several stages.
According to the complaint, Rakesh’s elder son Praveen Verma initially paid ₹5 lakh in cash as an advance at Kuldeep’s residence.
In October 2024, Kuldeep allegedly visited Rakesh’s home in Gohana and collected Navin’s passport. The family was then allegedly asked to pay another ₹10 lakh, which was reportedly handed over on Sanoli Road.
The family later allegedly paid another ₹8 lakh in connection with the visa and other procedures. Additional amounts were reportedly transferred through digital payment channels and other accounts.
According to the police complaint, the total amount eventually reached approximately ₹50 lakh.
The financial trail will now be an important part of the investigation.
Son Allegedly Sent Through France and Mexico
The family’s biggest allegation concerns what happened after Navin left India.
According to the complaint, Navin boarded a flight to France on November 5, 2024.
The family alleges that instead of following the promised legal route to the United States, he was subsequently taken to Mexico and allegedly facilitated in entering the US illegally.
The Tribune reported that the complaint described the route as a “donkey route” and said US authorities detained Navin after his alleged illegal entry.
The case therefore goes beyond a simple financial dispute and raises questions about whether the victim was knowingly exposed to an illegal migration route.
14 Months in US Detention Before Deportation
According to the complaint, Navin remained in a US detention centre for approximately 14 months.
His family reportedly learned the full extent of the alleged deception only after he was eventually deported to India in December 2025.
For the family, the alleged financial loss was therefore accompanied by a prolonged period of uncertainty over Navin’s whereabouts and legal status.
The case demonstrates one of the most serious risks associated with illegal migration: a person who believes they are paying for a legitimate overseas opportunity can potentially end up facing detention, deportation and substantial financial losses.
This is why the latest Panipat Immigration Fraud case is attracting attention.
Agent Allegedly Promised to Return the Money
After Navin returned to India, the family allegedly confronted Kuldeep and demanded the return of the money.
According to Rakesh’s complaint, a panchayat was subsequently held.
During the meeting, Kuldeep allegedly promised to return the amount within one month.
However, the family claims that the money was not returned even after the promised period had expired.
The accused allegedly stopped answering their calls, according to the complaint.
When the family subsequently continued asking for their money, Rakesh alleged that threats were issued against him and his family.
Death Threats and False Case Allegations
Rakesh has alleged that the accused threatened to kill him and also threatened to implicate him in a false police case if he continued demanding repayment.
These allegations are also being investigated by the police.
The complaint reportedly names Kuldeep and Manoj Kumar as accused. The Old Industrial Area police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Immigration Act, and further investigation is underway.
Police will need to establish the exact financial trail, the communications between the parties, the promised immigration route and the circumstances in which Navin travelled from France to Mexico.
Police to Investigate the Alleged Migration Route
The Panipat Immigration Fraud investigation is expected to involve several layers.
Investigators may examine:
- Bank and digital payment records.
- Cash payment details.
- Passport and travel records.
- Flight bookings.
- Communications between the family and agents.
- Details of the France and Mexico journey.
- The circumstances surrounding Navin’s US entry.
- US detention and deportation records.
- The alleged agreement to return the money.
- Threats allegedly issued after the family demanded repayment.
The investigation could also determine whether other people were involved in arranging the alleged route.
Panipat Has Previously Reported Immigration Fraud Cases
The latest case is not an isolated concern for the district.
In December 2023, The Times of India reported that Haryana’s state-level SIT had been examining a large number of immigration fraud and human-trafficking cases. The report said around 645 cases had been registered after the SIT was formed, with approximately 518 accused arrested at that point. Panipat was among the districts identified as having earlier reported significant numbers of such cases.
There have also been cases where people approaching authorities over alleged overseas-placement fraud sought intervention from Anil Vij himself. In one earlier matter, a Kurukshetra resident alleged that agents took ₹53 lakh to send his son to the US but instead sent him to Dubai before bringing him back to India. Vij reportedly directed the immigration-fraud SIT to examine that complaint.
These cases highlight the continuing concerns surrounding overseas employment scams and illegal migration networks.
Why “Legal Route” Promises Need Verification
One of the key lessons from this Panipat Immigration Fraud case is that simply being told that an applicant will travel legally does not make the route legitimate.
Before paying an agent, families should independently verify:
- The exact visa category being offered.
- The foreign employer, if the purpose is employment.
- The employment contract and salary details.
- Whether the visa actually permits employment.
- Whether the travel route matches the legal immigration process.
- The agent’s registration and credentials.
- Every payment through documented banking channels.
- The authenticity of visa and immigration documents.
A person should be especially cautious if an agent refuses to provide documents, demands large cash payments, changes the destination country or suddenly proposes travelling through a third country without a clear legal explanation.
The Danger of “Donkey Routes”
Illegal migration routes, commonly referred to as “donkey routes,” can expose migrants to significant risks.
Instead of travelling directly through a legitimate visa and immigration process, migrants may be moved through multiple countries before being encouraged or forced to cross borders illegally.
The risks can include detention, deportation, financial exploitation, document confiscation and physical danger.
In the present case, the family alleges that Navin was promised a legal US route but was ultimately taken through France and Mexico before allegedly entering the US illegally.
That allegation, if established by investigators, would make the matter considerably more serious than a conventional visa dispute.
What Happens Next?
The police investigation will determine whether the allegations made by Rakesh Kumar are supported by documentary and financial evidence.
The authorities will also need to establish the roles of the named accused and determine whether additional individuals were involved.
The alleged threats made after the family demanded repayment will also form part of the investigation.
The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due legal process.
For families planning to send children abroad, the Panipat Immigration Fraud case is another reminder that overseas migration should never be based solely on an agent’s assurances.
Panipat Immigration Fraud Case: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Panipat / Gohana |
| Complainant | Rakesh Kumar |
| Son | Navin Verma |
| Promised Destination | United States |
| Initial Deal | ₹40 lakh |
| Alleged Total Payment | ₹50 lakh |
| Route Alleged | France → Mexico → US |
| US Detention | Around 14 months |
| Deportation | December 2025 |
| Named Accused | Kuldeep and Manoj Kumar |
| Police Station | Old Industrial Area, Panipat |
| Current Status | FIR registered; investigation underway |
FAQs : Panipat Immigration Fraud
What is the Panipat Immigration Fraud case involving Anil Vij’s driver?
The Panipat Immigration Fraud case concerns an allegation by Rakesh Kumar, a government driver currently posted at Anil Vij’s residence, that agents took around ₹50 lakh after promising to send his son to the US.
How much money was allegedly taken in Panipat Immigration Fraud?
The family initially agreed to a deal of ₹40 lakh, but according to the complaint, approximately ₹50 lakh was eventually paid in different instalments in Panipat Immigration Fraud.
How was the son allegedly sent to the US in Panipat Immigration Fraud?
According to the complaint, Navin travelled from India to France and was subsequently taken to Mexico before allegedly entering the United States illegally.
How long was Navin reportedly detained in Panipat Immigration Fraud?
The complaint states that he remained in a US detention centre for approximately 14 months before being deported to India in December 2025.
Who has been booked in Panipat Immigration Fraud?
Police have registered a case against Kuldeep and Manoj Kumar, according to reports based on the complaint.
Were the allegations proven in Panipat Immigration Fraud?
No. The allegations are currently under investigation. The accused will be subject to due legal process in Panipat Immigration Fraud.
What should people verify before paying an immigration agent?
Applicants should verify the agent’s credentials, visa category, foreign employer, employment contract, payment details and the legality of the proposed travel route.
Why are illegal migration routes dangerous?
They can expose migrants to detention, deportation, exploitation and significant financial and personal risks.
Final Takeaway On Panipat Immigration Fraud
The Panipat Immigration Fraud case involving a Haryana government driver’s family highlights the potentially devastating consequences of trusting an unverified overseas agent.
According to the complaint, the family allegedly paid around ₹50 lakh after being promised a legal route to the United States. Instead, their son was allegedly moved through France and Mexico before entering the US illegally. He reportedly spent around 14 months in detention and was deported in December 2025.
The family now alleges that the money was never returned and that threats were issued when repayment was demanded.
The police investigation will determine what actually happened, where the money went and whether the accused arranged or facilitated the alleged illegal migration route.
Before trusting any overseas agent: verify the agent, verify the employer, verify the visa and verify the route.
Source : Jagran
