Chandigarh Police has busted a major immigration fraud case involving the promise of jobs in New Zealand, arresting two immigration consultants accused of cheating several individuals of ₹59.92 lakh on the pretext of work permits and overseas employment opportunities.
Co-Working Interceptions and Fictitious Work Permits
The arrested accused have been identified as Yuvraj Sobti and Harneet Walia, both residents of Mohali. According to police officials, the duo operated an immigration consultancy firm under the name M/s Truway Consultancy Pvt Ltd from a co-working space located in Madhya Marg, Chandigarh.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed by Babita on behalf of her brother Vivek Kumar. In the complaint, it was alleged that the accused had assured victims of guaranteed job placements, work permits, and visa processing services for New Zealand.
Investigators said the accused initially gained the trust of victims by presenting fake documents, job offers, and procedural assurances. After building confidence, they collected money in multiple installments under various heads such as registration fees, visa processing charges, medical examination costs, and interview-related expenses.
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Structured Fee Phasing and Absconding Triggers
Police said the victims were systematically misled through a structured scheme where payments were extracted step by step to avoid raising suspicion. Once the payments were completed, the accused allegedly shut down their office and went into hiding, cutting off all communication with the victims.
Following multiple complaints, an FIR was registered, and both accused were subsequently arrested by a police team from Sector 26 Police Station. Officials confirmed that the total amount cheated from complainants and other victims stands at ₹59.92 lakh.
During investigation, police also found that both individuals had prior involvement in similar fraud cases. Records show multiple FIRs registered against them in February 2025, November 2025, December 2025, and May 2026, all related to immigration fraud and cheating allegations.
Statutory Bookings and Social Media Target Profiling
The accused have been booked under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with Section 24 of the Immigration Act. Authorities have stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional victims and uncover possible associates involved in the racket.
Preliminary findings suggest that the accused targeted unemployed youth through social media platforms and local advertisements, promising high-paying jobs abroad and quick visa approvals. Victims were called to their office where they were shown fabricated offer letters and fake company credentials to build credibility.
Police said that once victims expressed interest, they were gradually charged under multiple pretexts, making the fraud appear like a legitimate process. Many victims realized they had been cheated only after repeated follow-ups failed and the office was found shut.
Transaction Trailing and Verification Safeguards
Officials believe the case may be part of a larger organized network operating across regions, involving multiple agents engaged in similar immigration scams. Efforts are currently underway to trace financial transactions and identify other individuals linked to the operation.
Authorities have urged the public to verify the authenticity of immigration consultants and avoid making advance payments without proper verification. They also advised victims of similar frauds to report the matter immediately to law enforcement agencies.
Police further indicated that as the investigation progresses, more links in the network and potential interstate connections may come under scrutiny, raising the possibility of a wider racket being exposed.
