Fake Visa Portal Exposed: Chennai Police Arrest Perpetrator

The Cyber Crime Branch (CCB) of Chennai Police has arrested a 29-year-old man, Mohammed Parvez, for running a fraudulent visa website that mimicked an official Korean government portal, deceiving unsuspecting applicants with fake E-7 visa grant notices.

Parvez, a Mumbai-based suspect, created the fake portal using the address of a local fish stall to lend authenticity. The website issued counterfeit E-7 visa approvals embedded with QR codes, which redirected users back to the fraudulent site to falsely verify the documents’ authenticity.

The scam came to light on January 27, 2025, when an Indian national approached the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Chennai to verify an E-7 visa grant notice. Consular officials confirmed it was forged and swiftly lodged a complaint with the Chennai City Police Commissioner.

A detailed investigation by the CCB, with support from domain service providers, tracked the digital footprint to Parvez. The team conducted searches in Bihar and Maharashtra before arresting him in Mumbai. He was subsequently produced before the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Saidapet and remanded in judicial custody.

The fake website has since been taken down. The Korean Consulate praised the prompt action taken by city police, urging the public to apply for visas only through verified government platforms and to avoid unauthorized agents.

This case is the latest in a series of visa-related frauds in Chennai, highlighting the growing need for awareness among visa applicants and stricter regulations on digital identity fraud.