Gujarat Police Conduct Raids on Immigration Consultancy Firms Suspected of Visa Fraud

Gujarat Police Conduct Raids on Immigration Consultancy Firms Suspected of Visa Fraud

Asif Iqbal | December 16, 2023 | 10:04 PM IST | Gujarat | Follow on Google News

Gujarat Police Conduct Raids on Immigration Consultancy Firms Suspected of Visa Fraud

Gujarat Police Conduct Raids on Immigration Consultancy Firms Suspected of Visa Fraud

The Gujarat police, responding to complaints regarding the use of counterfeit documents to obtain visas, conducted raids on 17 immigration consultancy firms across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. Senior officials reported that these raids resulted in the seizure of passports, computer hardware, and various documents.

According to Additional DGP (CID Crime) Rajkumar Pandian, these raids followed a month-long surveillance operation conducted by the state CID Crime personnel.

The joint operations, executed by 17 teams comprising over 50 police officers and computer experts, resulted in the seizure of 27 passports, 182 passport copies, 53 computers with hard drives, 79 mark sheets, and other pertinent documents.

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The crackdown was prompted by complaints alleging malpractice by several visa consultancy firms. These firms purportedly facilitated visa applications, especially to countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia, charging substantial fees, yet resulting in individuals being denied entry and forced to return to India from foreign airports.

Among the confiscated items were passports, copies of passports, mark sheets from various universities, stamps, computers, hard disks, and an amount of Rs 5.5 lakh in cash. Additionally, liquor bottles were discovered in two of the raided firms, a violation of Gujarat’s strict prohibition policy.

Mr Pandian highlighted the utilization of fraudulent tactics by these firms, primarily involving the use of fake mark sheets from universities located in other states.

Furthermore, alterations to scores in exams such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System) were detected, necessary for acquiring visas to certain countries.

The seized documents and items have been dispatched to the forensic laboratory for verification, and subsequent actions will be taken based on the authenticity report.

The investigation aims to uncover the extent of the alleged fraud and take necessary legal actions against those involved in the fraudulent visa procurement practices.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.