ED raids visa firms over illegal US immigration
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a crackdown on illegal immigration rackets, conducting raids on three visa consultancy firms in Ludhiana and Chandigarh in connection with a money laundering investigation. The firms are accused of facilitating illegal immigration to the US by forging documents and manipulating financial records for unqualified applicants.
The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following multiple FIRs filed by the Punjab and Delhi police based on complaints from the Overseas Criminal Investigations (OCI) unit of the US Embassy in Delhi.
Which Firms Were Raided?
The three visa consultancy firms under investigation are:
- Red Leaf Immigration Private Limited (Ludhiana)
- Overseas Partner Education Consultants (Chandigarh)
- Infowiz Software Solution (Chandigarh)
What Are the Allegations?
The firms are accused of:
- Forging educational certificates and experience letters
- Manipulating bank statements to show false financial eligibility
- Charging applicants hefty fees ranging from ₹15–20 lakh for fraudulent visa services
- Assisting in creating fake documents to help ineligible applicants secure US visas
According to the ED, the accused firms acted as agents for illegal immigration, especially targeting those seeking student visas and tourist visas to the US.
What Did the ED Seize?
During the raids, the ED confiscated:
- ₹19 lakh in cash
- Incriminating documents
- Digital devices like laptops and mobile phones
- Records of financial transactions linked to the scam
How Were the Funds Used?
The ED's investigation revealed that the proceeds from the illegal immigration racket were:
- Invested in properties
- Deposited in multiple bank accounts
- Used to purchase luxury items
US Embassy's Role
The US Embassy's Overseas Criminal Investigations unit flagged the visa fraud after identifying a pattern of fraudulent documents submitted by applicants from Punjab. The embassy alerted Indian authorities, leading to the FIRs and subsequent ED action.
Rising Concern Over Illegal Immigration
The raids come amid increasing scrutiny of illegal immigration rackets after several Indians were recently deported from the US under the new Biden administration policies. Punjab, in particular, has become a hub for immigration scams, with several visa agents promising quick access to foreign countries through fraudulent means.
What Happens Next?
The ED is likely to summon the owners and key employees of the raided firms for questioning. The investigation is expected to uncover further links to international human trafficking networks.
With the crackdown intensifying, authorities have urged visa applicants to only approach registered and verified consultancy firms to avoid falling prey to such scams.
