Crime Branch Cracks Down on Visa Scam Ring: Scammers Target Aspirants for Gulf and Canada
In a significant breakthrough, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has successfully dismantled a fraudulent visa racket that targeted the aspirations of numerous individuals seeking job opportunities in Canada and Gulf countries. This elaborate scheme, masterminded by three individuals named Tarun Kumar, Vinayak (also known as Binni), and Jaswinder Singh, has been exposed, and the culprits have been apprehended for their involvement in a widespread scam that left many unsuspecting victims in its wake.
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Deceptive Lure of Visa Scams
Visa scams have become an alarming and recurring issue in India, particularly affecting the dreams and hopes of young people aspiring to work abroad. Scammers often pose as visa agents, exploiting the ambitions of job seekers and defrauding them of significant amounts of money, affecting both the victims and their families.
The Recent Unveiling
The latest crackdown on this insidious practice came about after the Delhi Crime Branch received intelligence about a company known as Birla-G, based in Chandigarh, Punjab, that had duped individuals by promising Canadian visas, only for them to discover that the visas were fake. The masterminds behind this operation, Tarun and Karan, were found to operate another office named "Chandigarh to Abroad" in Sector-34A, Chandigarh. A case has been registered against them under FIR No. 253/2023, citing various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 406, 420, 468, 471, and 34.
Swift Action by the Crime Branch
The Crime Branch acted swiftly by assembling a dedicated team led by Inspector Manmeet Malik to probe into this fraudulent operation. This team consisted of Sub-Inspector Rajender Dhaka, Sub-Inspector Vikas, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jai Kumar, Head Constables Amrish, Bijender, Amit, Sachin, Monit, along with Woman Head Constable Pushpa and Constable Yogender. The operation was carried out under the close supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ramesh Lamba, at the direction of DCP Amit Goel.
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Leveraging various resources, including call detail records, customer application forms, internet protocol data records, bank statements, IP logs, online wallets, and goods and services tax data, the team conducted an extensive investigation. They successfully identified email addresses linked to the mobile numbers used by the fraudsters.
The breakthrough in the case came with a raid on the "Chandigarh to Abroad" office in Sector-34, Chandigarh, which resulted in the arrest of Tarun. He was found in possession of forged documents, laptops, passports with counterfeit visas, barcode makers, laminator machines, and various stationery used for document forgery. Further questioning of Tarun revealed that he had been running the operation under the guise of an employee named Jaswinder Singh. Subsequently, Tarun, Jaswinder, and another individual, Vinayak (also known as Binni), were taken into custody.
During the interrogation, investigators uncovered Tarun Kumar as the mastermind behind an elaborate operation that had been running smoothly under the radar. Despite his limited education, Tarun Kumar strategically employed graduates to navigate the bureaucratic maze, ultimately obtaining licenses for his manpower agency from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This sly approach shielded him from the prying eyes of law enforcement agencies.
His modus operandi involved the exploitation of potential clients through social media advertisements and persuasive phone calls, reaching out to individuals across various states. He promised comprehensive consultation and visa arrangements, presenting an enticing opportunity for those looking to explore the world. However, it was all a ruse.
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Clients were required to pay upfront fees, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000, depending on their chosen destination country. The deception extended through every phase of the visa application process. Victims found themselves duped by application fees, medical fees, job offer letter fees, and even fake visas delivered via WhatsApp photographs. In the end, each client was left high and dry, with their hard-earned money disappearing into the hands of the fraudsters. On average, they lost between ₹15 to ₹20 lakhs.
Tarun Kumar's operation was no one-man show. He had recruited over 20 individuals to play various roles in this elaborate scheme. From tele-callers to account managers and liaisons, these individuals were the bait, luring in unsuspecting customers. Under the guise of different fraudulent firm names, including Birla-G, Fast Visa, World Wide Future, Mastermind Overseas, Sri Sai Education, SS Education, Viswash International, Chandigarh to Abroad, and Royal Visa, they managed to dupe more than a thousand individuals across the country.
The authorities were able to recover a wealth of evidence during their investigation. This included six passports bearing counterfeit Canadian visas, forged stamps and seals, a swipe machine, an arsenal of laptops and printers, folders filled with photocopies of visas and other documents, a laminator machine, a barcode printer, and rolls used for creating barcode stickers and other fraudulent documents.
It's worth noting that Tarun Kumar and his associate, Vinayak (Binni), had prior run-ins with the law. Tarun Kumar had two cheating cases registered against him in Punjab, while Vinayak had one case of cheating registered against him in the same state. These prior offenses only added to the weight of their criminal activities in this recent case.
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In a recent crackdown on a visa fraud operation, the Delhi Police uncovered a network of individuals engaged in deceiving innocent victims. These perpetrators have been exposed, shedding light on their roles and backgrounds in the fraudulent scheme.
Tarun Kumar (43 years, Kurali, Mohali, Punjab):
Tarun Kumar, hailing from Kurali in Mohali, Punjab, emerges as the mastermind behind this elaborate scheme. Surprisingly, Tarun's educational qualifications only extend up to completing his 12th grade. However, this did not deter him from orchestrating a complex operation. He strategically hired graduates to create a facade, enabling him to secure a license for a Manpower business with the Ministry of External Affairs. Tarun Kumar's involvement is pivotal in understanding the depth of this fraudulent enterprise.
Vinayak (Binni) (29 years, Professor Colony, Sirhind, District Fatehgarh, Punjab):
Vinayak, known as "Binni," is a graduate of Punjab University and hails from Professor Colony in Sirhind, District Fatehgarh, Punjab. In this scheme, his role was to provide agents to Tarun Kumar and to produce forged visas. Interestingly, Vinayak's family is entrenched in the property dealing business, adding a layer of complexity to his involvement in the fraud.
Jaswinder Singh (25 years, Seel Road, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Punjab):
Jaswinder Singh, a close associate of Tarun Kumar, operated as a visa agent and deceitfully presented himself as the owner of the fictitious company, "Chandigarh to Abroad." His residence is in Seel Road, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Punjab. Jaswinder played a pivotal role in the scam, contributing to its execution.
The Delhi Police's swift and successful operation marks a significant step towards eradicating visa fraud in the region. The accused individuals, who have been brought to justice, will face the full extent of the law for their criminal activities. This operation sends a strong warning to those who engage in fraudulent practices of this nature. Simultaneously, it offers a glimmer of hope and relief to the victims who had their dreams and hard-earned money unjustly stolen from them.
Source: https://www.the420.in/delhi-police-crime-branch-exposes-gulf-canada-visa-scam-ring/
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