Vadodara: A case of fraud involving ₹10.65 lakh has come to light in Vadodara, where a young man was allegedly cheated in the name of securing a UK work permit and overseas job opportunities. A complaint has been filed against a visa agent, and the police have launched an investigation. The accused is alleged to have collected a large sum of money using forged documents and false assurances, before abandoning the visa process midway.
A dream job in the UK allegedly turned into a ₹10.65 lakh nightmare for one family
According to details, the case is linked to a family residing in Ansab Park on Simliya Road in the Palej area. The complainant, Zakirbhai Afinewala, informed the police that his son required a UK work permit for employment abroad. During this time, they came in contact with an agent, Amrit Manibhai Patel, who introduced himself as a visa consultancy expert and claimed to guarantee overseas job placement.
Fake offer letters and forged papers reportedly kept the visa scam looking real for months
The family stated that the agent assured them he could arrange both a UK work permit and a job. Meetings were held at a consultancy office located in the Mujmahuda area of Vadodara, where the entire process was presented as “legal and secure.” The agent claimed that all necessary documentation was ready and that the process would be completed soon, but insisted on payments in multiple stages.
Over time, the victim’s family allegedly paid a total of ₹10.65 lakh in instalments. The accused is said to have provided documents, including offer letters, immigration application papers, and health insurance certificates, which initially made the process appear genuine. However, no final visa approval was ever issued, nor was any official checklist or clear progress update provided.
As calls went unanswered, suspicion grew, and the overseas dream began to unravel
When the family repeatedly tried to contact the agent, he allegedly began avoiding communication. Calls went unanswered, and messages were ignored. Eventually, suspicion grew that they had been cheated, following which they approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.
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Police are now tracing the money trail to see whether a larger recruitment fraud network is at play
Police officials stated that preliminary investigation has revealed several inconsistencies in the documents provided by the agent. The authenticity of all submitted paperwork is currently being verified. Authorities have also begun examining records related to the consultancy office, bank transactions, and digital payment trails to trace the flow of money.
Investigators are also trying to determine whether the accused is part of a larger organized network involved in similar visa fraud cases or operating independently. Sources indicate that financial transactions, mobile call records, and digital payment data are being analyzed to identify the destination of funds and possible accomplices.
Meanwhile, renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh noted that such frauds are typically driven by social engineering tactics. He explained that scammers first build trust through fabricated documents and fake success stories, before gradually pushing victims to invest larger amounts of money.
According to him,
“In overseas job and visa-related frauds, the biggest weapon is psychological manipulation. Victims are convinced through fake credibility markers such as offer letters and staged documentation, making the scheme appear legitimate.”
He further warned that any agent operating outside official government-approved immigration channels, especially through WhatsApp or informal consultancy setups, should be treated with suspicion. Awareness, he said, remains the strongest safeguard against such scams.
Police have registered a case of cheating and forgery against the accused agent and intensified the investigation. Officials indicated that more details are likely to emerge soon, and arrests may follow if sufficient evidence is established.
The incident once again highlights the growing threat of fraudulent overseas recruitment networks that continue to exploit job seekers, emphasizing the urgent need for caution and verification before making any financial commitments.
