Ahmedabad: A 70-year-old man from New Naroda in Ahmedabad has alleged that a father-son duo cheated him of ₹10 lakh on the promise of arranging a Canadian visa and work permit for his 38-year-old son. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly collected money through cash payments and bank transfers between July 2023 and January 2024 but failed to arrange the promised visa. The complainant also alleged that an Air India ticket and other documents later provided by the accused appeared to be fake.
The complainant, Baldevbhai Hirabhai Patel, told police that his friend Mangaldas Patel introduced him to Nitish Vasudev Rawal, who allegedly worked in visa-related services. Patel said he met Rawal on July 30, 2023, to discuss sending his son Kalpesh to Canada. Rawal allegedly assured him that he could arrange a Canadian work permit and quoted a total cost of ₹16 lakh.
₹2.5 Lakh Paid in Cash Near Nana Chiloda Bridge
According to the complaint, Patel paid ₹2.5 lakh in cash to Rawal near Nana Chiloda Bridge on August 1, 2023. He later transferred another ₹3.5 lakh through RTGS to an account in the name of Guru International, which was allegedly operated by Rawal.
Rawal subsequently allegedly provided documents on Guru International letterhead, including details of a tour package and an Air India ticket issued in Kalpesh’s name. Patel later suspected that the ticket and other documents provided to him were not genuine.
Claim of Sending Son to Canada on Visitor Visa
When Patel questioned Rawal about the work permit, Rawal allegedly told him that Kalpesh would initially travel to Canada on a visitor visa. According to the complaint, Rawal claimed that his son, Dev Rawal, would receive Kalpesh in Canada and help him obtain employment and a work permit.
The complaint states that Rawal also arranged a WhatsApp conversation between Patel and Dev. During the call, Dev allegedly assured Patel that Kalpesh could travel to Canada, stay with him and subsequently obtain employment and a work permit.
Additional ₹4 Lakh Allegedly Demanded
Patel alleged that Rawal later demanded another ₹4 lakh in connection with the visa process. On January 2, 2024, ₹2 lakh was transferred to the Guru International account, while another ₹2 lakh was transferred from Kalpesh’s bank account to the same account.
With these payments, the total amount allegedly paid by the complainant reached ₹10 lakh. However, the promised Canadian visa was never arranged, according to the complaint. Patel said he repeatedly contacted the accused but did not receive a satisfactory response.
Two Others Allegedly Targeted in Visa Deals
The complaint also refers to two other people who allegedly faced similar problems. Patel stated that Gautesh Kumar Baleshbhai Joshi allegedly paid ₹6 lakh in cash for a Canadian visa. Jagdishbhai Ramanbhai Patel allegedly paid ₹9.5 lakh in cash after being promised an Australian visa.
According to the complainant, the visa-related work in both cases was also not completed. The allegations indicate that the police may examine whether the accused had been operating a broader network targeting people seeking overseas employment and visas.
Police Examine Financial Trail and Documents
The complaint names Gandhinagar residents Nitish Vasudev Rawal and his son Devbhai Nitishbhai Rawal as the accused. Naroda Police are examining bank transactions, documents, WhatsApp communications and the operations of Guru International.
Investigators are also expected to verify the authenticity of the Air India ticket and other documents allegedly provided to the complainant. The financial trail will be examined to determine where the money was transferred and whether additional people were involved.
Police are also investigating whether other individuals were allegedly approached with similar promises of overseas visas, employment and work permits. Further legal action will depend on the evidence, financial records and communications collected during the investigation.
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.
