A new case of immigration fraud has come to light in Mohali, Punjab, where a woman alleged that her family was cheated of ₹4.08 lakh on the pretext of sending her daughter to Canada. Acting on the complaint, the police have registered a FIR against an immigration agent and a company manager for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and withholding a passport.
The case was registered on the complaint of Parminder Kaur, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Machhiwara in Ludhiana district. According to the complaint, in 2022 she approached an immigration firm named Baaj International, located in Phase-10, Sector-64, Mohali, to process her daughter Manjinder Kaur’s permanent residency application for Canada.
Parminder Kaur alleged that the company’s manager Priyanka Sharma and owner Kamaljeet Singh assured her that the PR process would be completed within six to eight months. Trusting their assurances, the family transferred money to the accused on different dates through bank transfers, RTGS, Paytm, and also paid some amount in cash, taking the total to ₹4.08 lakh.
Despite repeated follow-ups, neither a visa was arranged nor was the money refunded, the complainant stated. She further alleged that the accused issued false assurances, provided a fake air ticket, and even failed to return her daughter’s passport, which remains in their possession.
The matter was investigated by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Mohali. During the inquiry, it was found that most of the money had been collected by Kamaljeet Singh. The investigation also revealed that cheques issued by the accused towards refunding the amount were dishonoured. The probe concluded that the act was a deliberate and well-planned fraud.
Following the investigation report, and on the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, an FIR has been registered at Phase-11 Police Station, Mohali, against Kamaljeet Singh and manager Priyanka Sharma.
Police officials said further investigation is underway and advised the public to verify the credentials of immigration consultants before making payments or handing over any original documents.
