Visa fraud in Panchkula: Four booked for ₹15L scam
Four individuals have been booked by the Chandimandir police for allegedly defrauding a local resident of ₹15 lakh under the pretext of securing a New Zealand work visa for his son.
The Allegation
Ashok Kumar, a 46-year-old resident of Bhareli village in Chandimandir, filed a complaint on January 23, 2025, accusing Somnath (also from Bhareli) and three men from Ambala—brothers Neeraj and Gaurav, and an associate named Rajeev—of orchestrating the visa scam.
According to Kumar, Somnath introduced him to the Ambala-based trio, claiming they operated a legitimate overseas placement agency in Shahzadpur. The group allegedly promised to arrange a New Zealand work visa and employment for Kumar’s son in exchange for ₹25 lakh. Trusting their assurances, Kumar submitted his son’s passport and other documents and paid ₹15 lakh between May and June 2024. However, the promised visa never materialized, and the money was not returned.
Legal Action
Based on Kumar’s complaint, the Chandimandir police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on May 28, 2025. The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 420 (cheating)
- Section 406 (criminal breach of trust)
- Section 120B (criminal conspiracy)
- Relevant provisions of the Immigration Act
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Advisory from Authorities
Police have urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with visa agents and to verify the credentials of any agency or individual offering overseas employment opportunities. They recommend consulting only authorized and government-recognized immigration consultants to avoid falling victim to such scams