The Chandigarh Police have booked staff members of a Sector-17–based immigration consultancy for allegedly cheating multiple job seekers by promising overseas work visas in exchange for hefty payments. The case came to light after a city resident accused the firm of extracting money under the pretext of arranging a work visa for New Zealand.
According to the complainant, Gurpinder Samrat Singh, he had approached Migration Hub, an immigration office located in Sector 17, after being assured of a driver’s job in New Zealand. The firm reportedly demanded money for several “mandatory processes,” including the preparation of a professional résumé, medical examinations, and embassy-related fees. Singh paid the required amounts but said the firm failed to provide verification for any stage of the claimed process.
Singh alleged that the consultancy later showed him what they claimed was an approved visa but refused to hand over a copy or provide supporting documents. Instead, he was reportedly pressured to pay an additional ₹1 lakh to “complete the procedure.” Suspecting fraud, he approached the Sector 17 police station and filed a formal complaint.
During the initial investigation, police officials confirmed that seven other individuals came forward with similar allegations against the same consultancy. Collectively, the complainants reported a loss of around ₹11.5 lakh, all paid on the promise of overseas employment opportunities.
Police have registered an FIR against the firm’s counsellor and manager for cheating and criminal breach of trust. Officers stated that the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to verify financial transactions, examine documents, and identify the full scale of the alleged fraud. No arrests had been reported at the time of filing this story.
This case adds to a growing number of visa-related scams in the region, where several immigration firms have come under scrutiny for misleading job seekers with fraudulent promises of work permits and foreign placements.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with immigration agents and to verify the credentials of firms offering overseas job opportunities.
