City residents lose Rs 32 lakh to ‘foreign dream’, 5 FIRs filed

Ludhiana: In a major crackdown on fraudulent immigration practices, Ludhiana city police have registered five separate cases of immigration fraud, involving travel agents who allegedly duped victims of nearly Rs 32 lakh. In each case, the accused promised overseas visas but failed to deliver, nor did they return the money.The first FIR was filed by Jaspal Singh, a resident of Saroop Nagar, Salem Tabri, against Nancy Thakur of Sector 55, Phase 1, Mohali. Jaspal Singh stated that his son, Sajanpreet Singh, wished to settle in the United States. Nancy, posing as a travel agent, assured them of a work permit and took Rs 4.05 lakh in advance. However, she failed to arrange a visa. After an inquiry, Salem Tabri police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 24 of the Immigration Act.In another case, Ravinder Singh of Vardhman Nagar, Rahon Road, was cheated by Jaswinder Kaur alias Jyoti and Maninder Singh alias Micky, residents of New Shivaji Nagar. The duo took Rs 4.50 lakh in instalments, promising to send him to Australia. Despite repeated requests, they neither arranged the visa nor returned the money. Division Number 3 police registered a case under cheating and immigration laws.In the third case, Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Giaspura, approached Puneet Pahwa of Sherpur to send his son Kulwinder Singh and relative Parveen abroad. The accused took Rs 12 lakh but failed to provide visas. After Sukhdev filed a complaint on March 28, Sahnewal police registered a case for cheating.In the fourth case, Baljinder Singh of Birmi village paid Rs 8 lakh to Pooja Sahota, Deepak Kumar, and Prince Kumar, who operated an immigration office in Machhiwara. He wanted to go to the United Kingdom on spouse visa. The accused accepted the money but did not arrange the visa. Haibowal police booked them on charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and the Immigration Act.The fifth FIR was registered by Baljinder Singh of Rakh village, Deevidaspura, Amritsar, against Dawinder Khatra and Mahi Sharma alias Kanika Manocha, who ran an immigration office near Cheema Chowk, Ludhiana. Singh paid Rs 3.50 lakh for a Portugal visa, which was never arranged. Moti Nagar police registered a case under relevant sections of cheating and conspiracy.Police appealPolice officials confirmed that investigations are underway in all five cases. They have urged residents to verify credentials of immigration consultants before making payments. With immigration fraud on the rise, authorities are tightening enforcement and encouraging victims to come forward.MSID:: 123853415 413 |