A group of ten Tamil Nadu residents chasing overseas job dreams were defrauded of ₹90 lakh by two Lucknow-based conmen posing as visa agents. Fake documents, cancelled flight tickets, and disappearing mobile numbers unraveled a meticulously staged scam under the guise of employment in Serbia.
A Global Dream, A Local Trap
A meticulously orchestrated visa fraud has surfaced from Uttar Pradesh’s capital, where a network of alleged travel agents used the lure of employment in Serbia to defraud ten unsuspecting men from Tamil Nadu. Promising work visas and guaranteed overseas jobs, the accused, identified as Yogesh Yadav and Gokuleshwar Behera, allegedly pocketed ₹90 lakh under false pretences, handing over fake visas and ultimately cancelling booked airline tickets at the last moment.
The complaint, lodged at Vikasnagar police station in Lucknow, outlines how the scam was initiated via social media posts advertising easy work visa processing for Serbia. Tempted by the prospect of well-paying foreign jobs, victims were drawn into a scheme that offered false hope but ended in financial ruin.
Dharmaraj, a native of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, was the first to fall into the trap. Along with nine others—Vilechamy, Kannan, Ramnathan, Muthu Venkatesh, Pandiranjan, Saravanan, Prabhakaran, and Verapandi Kashi—he entered into a deal with the duo for ₹10 lakh per person, covering visa and travel arrangements.
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The Illusion of Legitimacy: Offices, Documents, and Deception
The accused left little to chance in creating the appearance of legitimacy. Yogesh operated from an office in Lucknow’s Vikasnagar, where victims were summoned to complete what they were told were “official visa formalities.” Passports were collected, and receipts were handed over to add credibility to the scam.
According to the FIR, the first installment of ₹10 lakh was paid in April 2024 during an in-person meeting in Lucknow. Days later, Yogesh claimed the visas were ready and asked for the remaining ₹80 lakh, which was quickly transferred by the victims in hopes of securing the promised overseas employment.
To further the illusion, the accused even issued flight tickets to the victims and scheduled their supposed departure to Serbia. The victims, brimming with anticipation, were preparing to board their flights when they received shocking news: their tickets had been cancelled. Simultaneously, all communication with Yogesh and Gokuleshwar ceased. Their phones were switched off, and the office in Vikasnagar was found locked.
Realizing the extent of the deceit, Dharmaraj and the others contacted authorities. A verification of the provided visas revealed that the documents were entirely fake—an elaborate forgery crafted to mirror genuine work permits. After multiple failed attempts to recover their money from the accused, the victims escalated their case to Police Commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar.
Acting on the commissioner’s directive, Vikasnagar police registered a formal case under multiple sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and forgery. Authorities are now searching for the accused, who remain absconding as of now. Police sources say efforts are underway to trace bank accounts, digital communications, and potential associates who may have supported the duo in running the operation.
This incident has once again brought to light the dangers of unverified travel agents and the vulnerabilities of job-seeking youth who are lured by the promise of a better life abroad. It has also raised questions about the reach of such fraud networks that use professional facades to target individuals across states, with social media becoming a common hunting ground.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.
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