Visa Fraud: 27 Victims Duped, DCB Probes Misuse

Ahmedabad: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) has launched an investigation into a large-scale visa fraud in which 27 individuals were duped by a Dubai-based agent promising overseas job placements in Europe and Canada. Victims reportedly paid a combined total of ₹21 lakh in upfront fees and allowed their personal bank accounts to be used as part of the scam.

According to the complaint, the agent, introduced through a mutual contact in October 2024, claimed to provide a pathway to employment abroad—initially offering short-term work in Dubai before securing long-term visas for Canada and European countries within 6 to 12 months. To strengthen the credibility of the visa applications, the victims were asked to use their bank accounts to display high financial transaction volumes. Over ₹4 crore was funneled through these accounts to an angadia firm connected to the agent's network.

While a few victims were briefly sent to Dubai, none secured jobs or onward visas. The agent, who reportedly holds a golden visa in the UAE since 2021, later cut off all communication and failed to return any funds. Several victims also had their bank accounts frozen due to the large and suspicious financial movements, compounding their losses with reputational and emotional distress.

The DCB has registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) and is actively pursuing leads to trace the agent and recover the defrauded amounts. Investigators are also examining the financial transactions routed through angadia services and scrutinizing the misuse of personal bank accounts.

This case adds to a growing number of visa frauds reported in Gujarat in recent months, prompting authorities to advise citizens to exercise caution when dealing with agents offering too-good-to-be-true overseas job opportunities—especially those requesting access to financial information or accounts.

The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to uncover the full extent of the fraud and hold the perpetrators accountable.