A young man from Petlad has fallen victim to a visa scam that cost him ₹15.86 lakhs. The incident took place in Anand, Gujarat, where the victim, Prakashbhai Rajeshbhai Sonari, was promised a New Zealand work permit visa. Prakashbhai lives in Mariyampura, Petlad, but originally hails from Khasol village in Anand.
Two years ago, he started looking into getting a work permit to New Zealand. In May 2023, he was introduced to a consultancy called ‘Candidate Visa Consultancy’ near Grid Chowkdi in Anand. The consultancy was run by Priteshbhai Mukeshbhai Patel, who assured him that the process would take two to four months and would cost around ₹15 lakhs.
After receiving various payments, Prakashbhai’s uncle’s son, Dhavalkumar, who was supposed to assist him, left for Canada. Despite seven months passing, there was no progress in obtaining the New Zealand work permit visa. When Prakashbhai tried to contact the office, he found it closed. Attempts to reach Priteshbhai by phone also failed as his number was unreachable.
Realising he had been cheated, Prakashbhai filed a complaint with the Anand city police. He named four individuals in his complaint, including the agent who had fled to Canada. This alarming case highlights the growing issue of visa fraud in India, particularly targeting those seeking opportunities abroad.
Visa fraud is not a new issue, but it has been increasing recently. Many young people are desperate to find jobs overseas, making them easy targets for scammers. In another case, a woman from Andhra Pradesh reported a similar fraud. Her brother in London was contacted by an agent who promised to help him migrate abroad, but he never received the promised visa.
The police are now investigating these cases to identify the fraudsters and bring them to justice. They are urging the public to be vigilant and to thoroughly check the credentials of any consultancy before making payments. It is advisable to seek recommendations from trusted sources and to verify the legitimacy of the consultancy.
The Anand police have also made recent arrests in a related case. Two individuals were caught with fake visa stickers and several passports. They had been scamming people by promising to send them abroad with fake documents. Authorities are working hard to crack down on these fraudulent activities.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities related to visa processing. Awareness and caution can help prevent further scams. It is crucial for individuals to protect themselves and their hard-earned money from such fraudsters.
As the investigation continues, more victims may come forward, uncovering a larger network of visa scams. This situation serves as a warning to anyone considering using a visa consultancy. Always do your research and be cautious when dealing with money and personal information.
In conclusion, the visa fraud case involving Prakashbhai is a stark reminder of the risks associated with seeking overseas employment. The allure of better job prospects can lead many to make hasty decisions, often resulting in significant financial losses. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can better protect themselves against such scams.