Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested an immigration consultant accused of cheating a woman of about Rs 1.83 crore on the false promise of securing immigration to Canada through a business investment programme, according to officials.
Consultant Allegedly Posed as Immigration Expert
Police identified the accused as Dharminder Sharma. According to the official statement, the complainant wanted to migrate to Canada for employment opportunities after the first Covid 19 wave and came into contact with Sharma during that period.
Investigators said Sharma introduced himself as Director Operations of an immigration consultancy firm and projected himself as an expert in Canadian immigration and overseas investment programmes. Police alleged that he induced the complainant to invest CAD 2,50,000 in what was presented as a business investment scheme and additionally obtained CAD 45,000 as professional fees, taking the total to CAD 2,95,000.
Officials said Sharma assured the complainant that the investment would secure Canadian immigration, work permits and business ownership rights. To strengthen her confidence, he allegedly created documents showing that she would become a director or shareholder in a hospitality firm in Canada.
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Funds Allegedly Diverted Through Multiple Accounts
The investigation later found that the complainant was never inducted as a shareholder or director of the company and that ownership remained with other people. Police said that after receiving the funds in foreign bank accounts, Sharma allegedly siphoned off the money through cash withdrawals, debit transactions and routing through multiple accounts instead of using it for legitimate business purposes.
According to officials, the accused continued to mislead the complainant even after repeated rejection of visa applications by Canadian authorities. Police alleged that he gave false assurances, filed reconsideration requests and prolonged the process to avoid refunding the invested amount.
Further investigation also found that the accused played an active role in structuring the transaction and continued to mislead the complainant even after three visa rejections. Officials said the complainant’s name never appeared in the incorporation documents of the hospitality firm, contrary to the representations allegedly made by Sharma.
Laptop Seized, Digital Evidence Under Review
Police said Sharma is a resident of Dera Bassi in Punjab and holds an MBA. Investigators alleged that he projected himself as a highly qualified immigration and overseas investment consultant dealing in Canada based immigration programmes.
One laptop allegedly used in the conduct of the offence has been recovered from him. Police suspect the device contains crucial digital evidence, including emails, financial transaction records, immigration related documents, social media chats and other material connected to the case.
The seizure of the device is expected to form an important part of the investigation as officials examine the financial trail and the records surrounding the immigration and investment claims made to the complainant.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
