Gujarat Visa Fraud: Two Arrested in Rs 19.80 Lakh Scam

Two people from Jamnagar, Gujarat, and their associates are accused of cheating a youth from Vachhoda village, Porbandar taluka, out of Rs 19.80 lakh by promising him a UK work visa.

An official said that after an investigation, two of the accused were arrested, and legal action is ongoing. Cases of visa fraud are increasing, with scammers tricking people into paying for fake job offers abroad. In this case, the victim was told he could get a UK work visa without an interview for Rs 26.50 lakh, but he was cheated after paying Rs 19.80 lakh.

Porbandar Additional Superintendent of Police, Sahitya V., has started a detailed inquiry. As a result, a case was filed at Kamalbagh Police Station, leading to the arrest of the two main suspects. The victim, Sunil Sarmanbhai Gorania, reported the fraud to the police and named Mayur Rameshbhai Barmela and Shyamal Ranchhodbhai Patel from Jamnagar, along with their other partners.

The suspects convinced Sunil he could get a job in the UK construction industry without an interview for a small fee. After receiving Rs 19.80 lakh, they arranged a fake interview at the UK Home Office. No visa was issued, and Sunil was later told his application had been canceled. When he asked for his money back, the accused threatened him. Following a complaint of cheating, Kamalbagh Police Sub-Inspector A.B. Desai took over the investigation and arrested the two suspects.

Investigations are still ongoing to find and arrest others involved in the scam. Visa fraud cases in Gujarat have been increasing, with a 113% rise in reported cases in the past three years. Between 2020-21 and 2022-23, 139 visa fraud complaints were filed, leading to the arrest of 114 people. The total loss reported was Rs 74.15 lakh, of which Rs 41.14 lakh has been recovered.

In another case, a businessman from Vastral, Ahmedabad, accused two visa consultants of cheating him and his associates of Rs 41.50 lakh by promising quick U.S. visas. The consultants took money from several people, promising fast visa approvals but did not deliver. Legal action has been taken against them.

Additionally, four visa agents in Gandhinagar are accused of cheating 23 people out of over Rs 8 crore by promising them jobs abroad.