Ludhiana: Man Loses ₹24 Lakh in Visa Fraud

A Ludhiana resident was allegedly defrauded of ₹24 lakh by his wife and father-in-law under the pretense of securing a spouse visa to Canada. The case, involving a marriage of convenience and broken promises, has prompted local police to register an FIR and launch an active investigation.

Victim Funded Wife's Canada Visa Process

Jagjot Singh, a resident of Shimlapuri and originally from Ramgarh village, approached the police after discovering he had been deceived. According to the complaint, Jagjot married Harleen Kaur Deol from Dhalia village in Ludhiana, after she and her father, Jaspreet Singh, assured him that they would help him migrate to Canada through a spouse visa.

Believing the promises, Jagjot financed Harleen's study visa application and travel arrangements, reportedly transferring a total of ₹24 lakh to cover education fees and visa processing costs.

Accused Ceased Contact After Reaching Canada

Shortly after Harleen’s arrival in Canada, she allegedly cut off all communication with Jagjot. Despite multiple attempts, Jagjot was unable to reach her, leading him to suspect fraudulent intent behind the marriage and financial transactions.

The FIR, filed on March 13, 2025, at Ludhiana’s Shimlapuri police station, names both Harleen and her father as co-accused under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police Investigation Underway

Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurbakhshish Singh, who is heading the investigation, confirmed that both accused are currently untraceable and efforts are ongoing to locate them. Police are examining financial transactions, call records, and other documentation to support the investigation.

Visa-Related Marriages Under Scrutiny

This incident highlights growing concerns over visa-related marriage frauds in Punjab, where individuals are reportedly exploited under the guise of matrimonial alliances to facilitate migration.

Authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution in international visa matters involving personal relationships and to report suspected fraud promptly.