Work Visa Fraud, Mohali NRI Wing Books Immigration Agent Couple for Alleged England Work Visa Fraud
The NRI wing of the Mohali police has registered a fraud case against an immigration agent and his wife for allegedly duping a young man of a large sum of money by falsely promising to send him abroad for employment.
The FIR has been lodged at the NRI Police Station, Mohali, following directions issued by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), NRI Wing, Punjab. The accused have been identified as Abhinandan Pandey and his wife Meenakshi.
Complaint Filed by Rupnagar Youth
The case was registered on the complaint of Kunal Sharma, a resident of Gang Jindbari village in Rupnagar district. In his statement to the police, Sharma alleged that he came in contact with the accused couple through social media platforms in 2024.
According to the complainant, the couple projected themselves as immigration consultants and assured him that they could arrange a work visa for England within a short period.
₹21 Lakh Allegedly Taken on False Promises
Sharma stated that, trusting their claims, he paid a total of ₹21 lakh to the accused. Of this amount, ₹9 lakh was allegedly paid in cash, while the remaining sum was transferred through bank transactions to accounts linked to the accused.
However, after receiving the money, the couple allegedly began delaying the process, offering excuses instead of providing visa documents or confirmed travel details.
No Visa, No Refund
The complainant further alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, no legitimate visa or overseas employment arrangement was provided. When Sharma demanded either proof of the visa process or a refund of his money, the accused allegedly avoided him and stopped responding.
Suspecting fraud, Sharma approached senior police officials, following which the NRI wing initiated a preliminary inquiry before registering the case.
Police Investigation Underway
Police officials confirmed that a case of cheating and related offences has been registered and that an investigation is currently underway. Financial transactions, communication records, and social media interactions between the parties are being examined as part of the probe.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more victims coming forward, as the accused allegedly used online platforms to approach potential clients.
Advisory to Aspirants
The police have once again urged people seeking overseas employment or visas to verify the credentials and licences of immigration agents before making any payments. Officials warned against trusting guarantees made through social media or informal channels.