New Delhi: A 64-year-old German woman, Poonam Jezzler, has been arrested for allegedly cheating a Delhi man and his family of ₹60 lakh by promising to facilitate German citizenship. The woman allegedly worked with her husband to convince the complainant that they could help him settle abroad and obtain German citizenship within six months. The deal was reportedly worth around ₹1.10 crore. However, the complainant alleged that despite making payments, he received no evidence of progress in his immigration process.
The Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) in October 2025 following the complaint. Jezzler was detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after arriving in India earlier this week and was arrested on October 13.
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On Wednesday, a judicial magistrate at Patiala House Court remanded her to two days of police custody. The court observed that a detailed investigation was required to trace the money trail, establish whether other individuals were involved in the alleged conspiracy and recover electronic devices that might contain incriminating evidence.
Meeting in Switzerland During MBA Studies
According to the complainant, Pranzal Kumar, he first met Poonam Jezzler and her husband in 2021 while pursuing an MBA in Lucerne, Switzerland. Kumar alleged that the couple introduced themselves as immigration consultants offering services to people seeking to settle in different countries. Jezzler reportedly claimed to have experience in facilitating citizenship applications for various nations.
Kumar told investigators that he wanted to settle abroad and was initially interested in obtaining US citizenship. However, the couple allegedly encouraged him to pursue German citizenship instead, claiming that the process could be completed within six months.
According to the complaint, they quoted approximately ₹1.10 crore for the arrangement and assured him that they could facilitate German citizenship within the promised period.
₹50 Lakh Transferred Through His Father
Kumar alleged that in September 2024, the Jezzlers issued an invoice to his father for 50,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately ₹50 lakh at the time. The invoice also contained details of a bank account into which the payment was to be transferred.
According to the FIR, Kumar’s father trusted the couple and transferred the amount to the specified account. The complainant further alleged that Poonam Jezzler subsequently pressured him to pay the remaining amount, following which he transferred another ₹10 lakh to her bank account.
The total amount allegedly paid by Kumar and his family thus reached ₹60 lakh.
However, Kumar claimed that he received no documents or verifiable evidence showing that his immigration process had begun or was progressing. When he questioned the couple, they allegedly admitted to conspiring to cheat him and his family, according to the complaint.
Based on the allegations, the police registered a case involving offences related to cheating, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy. The allegations are yet to be established through the investigation and judicial proceedings.
Lookout Circular Issued Before Airport Arrest
According to the police, earlier attempts to trace Poonam Jezzler and her husband in India were unsuccessful. Jezzler is a German citizen residing in Switzerland. The police subsequently issued a lookout circular (LOC) against her and froze her Indian bank account.
She was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport upon arriving in India earlier this week and formally arrested on October 13.
During Wednesday’s court proceedings, Jezzler’s lawyers opposed the police request for custody and filed a bail application. However, the application was subsequently withdrawn.
In her bail plea, Jezzler claimed that she was unaware of the complaint registered against her and the lookout circular issued by the authorities. She also referred to her family background, stating that her late father had served as the Law Secretary in the Madhya Pradesh government.
Jezzler further argued that, as a German national, she was entitled to protection under the Vienna Convention. The complainant’s counsel opposed her bail application.
Police Investigating Money Trail and Possible Conspiracy
The police are now examining the financial transactions, bank accounts and electronic evidence connected with the alleged fraud. Investigators are also seeking to establish whether Jezzler’s husband or any other individuals played a role in the alleged scheme.
The court considered the need for further investigation into the movement of the money and the possible involvement of additional accused persons while granting two days of police custody.
The case highlights the risks associated with immigration and citizenship offers that promise quick results in exchange for large payments. Investigators will now seek to establish how the money was transferred, whether any immigration-related services were actually initiated and whether other individuals were involved in the alleged conspiracy. The claims against Jezzler remain allegations and will be subject to the outcome of the legal process.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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