Promises of high-paying jobs abroad and help with visa applications have allegedly left several people facing heavy financial losses in two separate cases from Gujarat.
In Ahmedabad, a 44-year-old production manager from Kalol and his brother-in-law allegedly lost ₹20.8 lakh after responding to a Facebook advertisement promising a New Zealand work permit, a monthly salary of ₹2.5 lakh and free accommodation.
In another case, a 57-year-old civil contractor allegedly lost ₹23.5 lakh to a Surat-based visa agent who promised to help renew his daughter’s UK student visa.
₹20.8 Lakh Lost in New Zealand Job Scam
The Ahmedabad case began with a Facebook advertisement offering a three-year New Zealand work visa. The advertisement promised a monthly salary of ₹2.5 lakh along with free accommodation.
The 44-year-old production manager from Kalol responded to the advertisement in October 2023.
According to the complaint filed on Wednesday, a representative of the agency offered to arrange the New Zealand work visa for ₹11 lakh. The representative allegedly asked for ₹1 lakh upfront and said the remaining amount would be deducted from the victim’s salary after he started working abroad.
The victim and his brother-in-law then submitted their identity documents, educational records and registration fees as requested.
Zoom Interviews and a Change in the Promise
The two were also asked to attend interviews through Zoom.
When the complainant was marked as having “failed” an interview, the representative allegedly offered another way to secure a job. He claimed that an offer could be arranged through unofficial channels.
In January 2024, the representative reportedly introduced the two men to another associate. The associate allegedly insisted that payments be made in cash, describing them as necessary for “informal arrangements”.
After receiving job offer letters through WhatsApp, the complainant and his brother-in-law allegedly handed over ₹10 lakh in cash.
But the promised work permits did not arrive.
Visitor Visas Issued Instead of Work Permits
The duo were instead issued visitor visas.
They were allegedly told to travel to New Zealand and have their visas converted into work permits after reaching the country.
By then, the two had reportedly paid a total of ₹21.21 lakh through cash and online transfers. They received only ₹40,000 back as refunds.
The CID (Crime) has booked four people associated with an unregistered agency based in Makarpura in connection with the alleged fraud.
The case reportedly involves three other victims as well, taking the total alleged loss in the case to ₹70.5 lakh.
According to the police complaint, the agency is accused of using fake documents and operating illegally to allegedly cheat people seeking jobs abroad.
Three Other Victims Also Cheated
The investigation found that three other people had allegedly suffered similar losses.
Together, these three victims reportedly lost ₹60.8 lakh. Only ₹11 lakh was refunded to them.
The police have booked four accused persons in connection with the alleged operation.
₹23.5 Lakh Lost in UK Visa Renewal
In a separate case, a 57-year-old civil contractor approached the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) with a complaint against a Surat-based visa agent.
The contractor alleged that he was cheated of ₹23.5 lakh on the promise of renewing his daughter’s UK student visa.
The man reportedly arranged the money using his savings and insurance policies. He also pledged jewellery to raise funds and transferred the money to the agent in late 2025.
Refund Agreement Failed
The agent allegedly failed to secure the visa.
A notarised agreement was then made, under which the agent had promised to return the money in phases.
However, the complainant alleged that the promised refunds were not made. The agent subsequently became untraceable, leading to police action.
The two cases highlight how promises of overseas employment, work permits and visa assistance allegedly resulted in large financial losses for people who paid substantial amounts in the hope of securing opportunities abroad.
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