Gujarat: Woman from Vadodara Loses Rs 5.61 Lakh in Visa Fraud
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Synopsis
A woman in Vadodara has reported a visa scam that cost her Rs 5.61 lakh, involving a fraudulent agent who promised foreign visas for her family. Ongoing investigations reveal a rise in visa fraud cases across Gujarat.
Key Takeaways
- Vadodara woman defrauded of Rs 5.61 lakh.
- Fraudster promised visas but did not deliver.
- Investigation reveals a rise in visa fraud cases.
- Police have initiated legal actions against the accused.
- Ongoing challenges in recovering funds from scammers.
Vadodara, April 27 (NationPress) A resident from the Diwalipura locality of Vadodara in Gujarat has lodged a police report after purportedly being swindled of Rs 5.61 lakh by a visa consultant who did not fulfill his commitments regarding foreign visa acquisition for her family.
The incident has been reported at the JP Road Police Station against the suspect, named Deepak Agarwal, as stated by authorities. According to the complaint filed by Bhumika Raseshwar Purohit, a resident of Maa Smriti Society, the troubles began in August 2022 when she and her husband sought guidance for studying abroad.
They visited Landmark Consultant, situated on Juna Padra Road, where they encountered Agarwal. Presenting himself as a visa agent, he guaranteed to secure a student visa for Bhumika and dependent visas for her husband and daughter, demanding Rs 25,000 for processing, alongside university and visa costs.
Trusting his claims, the family made several payments totaling Rs 5.36 lakh via cash and online transfers between 2023 and 2024. Agarwal had assured that the complete visa procedure would be finalized by December 2022, but as time elapsed, no visas were received. Subsequent requests for a refund were met with threats and coercion.
In August 2024, when Bhumika once more requested her money back, Agarwal allegedly responded, telling her to “do whatever she wanted,” refusing to refund the amount. Feeling deceived and exasperated, Bhumika sought help from the JP Road Police, who have now initiated legal proceedings against Deepak Agarwal.
Ongoing investigations into the alleged deception are in progress. Visa fraud incidents in Gujarat have surged notably in recent years, with a staggering 113 percent rise in reported cases from 2020-21 to 2022-23.
Data from the Gujarat government indicates that 139 complaints of visa-related fraud were recorded during this timeframe, leading to financial losses totaling Rs 74.15 lakh. While 114 individuals have been arrested, an equal number of suspects remain at large, revealing challenges in enforcement and recovery efforts.
Vadodara and Ahmedabad have emerged as key areas for such fraudulent activities, with 31 and 26 cases logged respectively. Most of these scams involve false guarantees of employment or educational opportunities abroad, especially in nations like the United States and Canada.
In a significant operation, Gujarat police have conducted raids on 17 immigration consultancy firms across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara, confiscating passports, counterfeit documents, and electronic devices.
