Chandigarh | A major visa fraud racket operating under the guise of overseas employment and government job placement has been exposed in Chandigarh, with police registering multiple FIRs against immigration consultancy firms and associated individuals based in Sector-17. The cases collectively involve cheating of over ₹1 crore, where victims were allegedly lured with promises of jobs in government departments and foreign work visas that never materialised.
According to police investigations, the network operated in a structured manner, targeting job seekers from multiple states through both online and offline channels. Victims were allegedly charged under various heads such as registration fees, processing charges, and visa application costs, but no actual employment or visa processing was ever completed.
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In one prominent complaint, a Chandigarh resident alleged that he and his friend were promised jobs in the Income Tax Department. The accused reportedly collected ₹11.80 lakh from them under the pretext of recruitment processing, after which no appointment or refund was provided.
In several other FIRs, similar patterns of fraud have emerged. In FIR No. 64, an accused was booked for allegedly cheating a Nawanshahr resident of around ₹9 lakh by promising a foreign work visa. In other complaints, amounts ranging from ₹4.98 lakh to ₹16.91 lakh were reportedly taken from victims under different pretexts related to overseas employment opportunities.
Police records indicate that multiple complaints have been filed against the same set of firms and linked individuals, suggesting a coordinated network. Names of immigration consultancies such as Nexus Glide Overseas, World Walk Immigration, The Visa Capital, and Sky High Abroad Consultant have surfaced during the investigation. These firms are accused of systematically misleading applicants by projecting themselves as authorised international recruitment agents.
Investigators believe the racket may involve a wider organised structure, including agents handling client acquisition, call centre-style operations, and individuals responsible for generating fake documentation. Preliminary findings also suggest that in some instances, forged offer letters and fabricated visa-related documents were allegedly issued to maintain the illusion of legitimacy.
Police are currently examining financial records, bank transactions, and digital communication logs linked to the accused firms. Authorities have also begun tracing money trails to identify possible beneficiaries and interconnected accounts. Officials have indicated that more arrests are likely as the probe expands and additional victims come forward.
Law enforcement sources said the investigation is being carried out across multiple layers, including verification of consultancy operations, client interactions, and payment gateways used for collecting funds. The scale of complaints suggests that the fraud may extend beyond Chandigarh, potentially involving interstate networks.
Experts in cyber and financial fraud prevention have noted that such immigration scams are increasing rapidly, driven by high demand for overseas job opportunities. They caution that many victims fall prey due to lack of verification and the promise of quick employment abroad. Authorities emphasise the importance of checking registration status, legal authorisation, and track record of any consultancy before making payments.
Police have issued an advisory urging citizens to remain cautious of any agency guaranteeing government jobs or foreign visas in exchange for upfront payment. Officials stressed that legitimate recruitment processes never require large cash payments through unofficial channels, and any such demand should be treated as suspicious and reported immediately.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to dismantle the wider network and identify all individuals involved in the alleged scam.
