Businessman Loses ₹42 Lakhs in US Visa Fraud by Consultants

A recent incident in Ahmedabad highlights a significant case of visa fraud in which a businessman lost ₹42 lakhs to fraudulent immigration consultants. Rohit Naik was lured by the promises of Daksh Goswami and Aarohi Patel from Kanak Immigration Consultancy, who assured him of obtaining a work permit visa for New Zealand. The fraud unfolded after Rohit's brother had previously secured a student visa to Singapore through Patel, fostering trust in her services. However, the promise of a New Zealand work visa quickly turned into a costly ordeal.

Initially, the consultants demanded ₹17 lakhs for the visa, which soon escalated to ₹25 lakhs after the brothers provided an upfront payment. The situation worsened when, after months of delays, they received a questionable offer letter that turned out to be fake. When they attempted to verify the legitimacy of the offer, they found that the contact details provided were nonexistent. This led to growing suspicions, and the brothers sought clarification from Goswami, who continued to increase the fees and demanded more money under various pretexts.

The case took a darker turn when the brothers eventually discovered that their attempts to reach the consultants were futile; their office was locked, and their phone calls went unanswered. Feeling deceived and desperate, Rohit’s brother filed a police complaint, prompting an investigation into the fraudulent activities of the consultancy. The police have registered an FIR against the accused, marking a critical step toward accountability and justice for the victims.

This incident underscores the increasing prevalence of visa fraud schemes, particularly those targeting individuals seeking employment abroad. It serves as a cautionary tale for potential visa applicants to thoroughly research and verify the credentials of immigration consultants before engaging their services. Such fraudulent practices not only lead to significant financial losses but also damage the credibility of legitimate immigration processes.