A 28-year-old student from Ahmedabad studying in the United Kingdom was allegedly cheated of Rs. 6.5 lakh in a fraudulent visa extension scheme, with investigators claiming that a Vadodara-based tattoo artist and his wife orchestrated the scam before returning to India.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID), Gandhinagar, has arrested the tattoo artist in connection with the case, officials said.
According to media reports, the complainant, Sunilkumar Prajapati, who lives in Bansidhar Society near Rabari Colony in Amraiwadi, told CID Crime officials that he had gone to the UK on April 12, 2022, to pursue a Diploma in Business Management after completing his Class 12 education. His student visa was valid until August 30, 2023.
According to the complaint, while studying at a college in Wembley, London, Prajapati was introduced by a friend to Mitul Chavda, a tattoo artist originally from Vadodara, and Chavda’s wife, Kritika Shah. The couple allegedly assured the student that they could arrange a three-month extension of his visa, demanding Rs. 6.50 lakh for the service.
Investigators said that whenever Prajapati’s visa interview dates drew closer, the accused allegedly stalled the process by offering various excuses, creating the impression that the extension was in progress. The probe later revealed that forged documents were allegedly prepared in the student’s name, including fake college admission certificates, even though Prajapati was never enrolled at those institutions.
According to police officials, the student began to suspect foul play when the promised visa extension failed to materialise. By that time, the accused couple had allegedly left the UK and returned to India in June 2023, claiming they would go back within a month to complete the process. However, they did not return, prompting Prajapati to come back to India as well and approach the CID Crime branch with a formal complaint.
During interrogation, Mitul Chavda reportedly disclosed details of his personal relationship with Kritika Shah. Investigators were informed that Kritika had married Chavda after divorcing her first husband. Further inquiry revealed that after returning from the UK, Kritika later divorced Chavda and subsequently married another individual, police sources said.
Confirming the development, CID Crime Police Inspector J V Rathod said that Mitul Chavda has been taken into custody and is being questioned to ascertain the full scope of the alleged fraud. Officials added that further investigation is underway to determine whether more victims were cheated using similar methods.
Also Read: Visa Fraud Continues To Afflict Gujarat As Another Victim Loses A Huge Amount https://www.vibesofindia.com/visa-fraud-continues-to-afflict-gujarat-as-another-victim-loses-a-huge-amount/
