For people hoping to build a better life abroad, a job offer promising a good salary, accommodation and food can be difficult to ignore. But for several people in Gujarat, such promises allegedly ended with fake documents, lost money and no overseas job.
Anand Police have arrested a couple in connection with an alleged overseas job and visa fraud in which 29 people are suspected to have been cheated. The suspected amount involved has now crossed ₹1 crore, reaching ₹1,06,26,960, police said.
Social media offers attracted job seekers
The accused allegedly operated Krishna Overseas Consultancy in Anand, promoting overseas employment opportunities through social media.
According to police, the advertisements offered work permits and e-visas for destinations including Serbia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Armenia and Dubai. The packages allegedly included promises of good salaries, accommodation and food.
People looking for employment abroad allegedly approached the consultancy and paid money for visa processing and related services.
One of the complainants, Kundanben Patel from Petlad, was among those who allegedly paid money after responding to the offers.
E-visas allegedly used to make offers look genuine
Police said the accused allegedly provided applicants with e-visas after taking their money. The documents allegedly helped convince applicants that the overseas job arrangements were genuine.
However, when some applicants were preparing to travel, they allegedly discovered that the companies mentioned in their work permits and e-visas did not exist.
The promised jobs did not materialise and, according to the complaints, the money paid by the applicants was not returned.
More victims come forward
The case began moving forward after Kundanben approached police on September 10. Investigators then formed a special team to examine the alleged fraud.
Police initially estimated the suspected fraud at ₹78.80 lakh. As more people came forward and their statements were recorded, the amount under investigation rose to ₹1,06,26,960.
So far, 29 people are suspected to have been cheated.
The police team also raided the consultancy’s office and other locations linked to the accused, recovering documents that are now part of the investigation.
Police trace the money trail
The investigation is now also focused on the financial side of the alleged racket. Police are examining the accused’s bank accounts to determine where the money collected from applicants went and how it was used.
Investigators are also checking whether the operation involved other people and whether more victims may have been affected.
Couple arrested, third accused remains missing
Ankitaben Hardik Shah, 41, was arrested on September 11, while her husband, Hardik Hasmukhbhai Shah, 47, was taken into custody on September 12.
Police said the couple are originally from Songadh in Bhavnagar district and were living in Anand.
A third accused, Nandkumar Damubhai Ukani, a resident of Anand, has not yet been arrested. Police teams are searching for him at possible locations.
Police warn overseas job seekers
With more complaints emerging, police are also checking whether the alleged operation extended beyond the cases reported so far.
Anand Police have urged people looking for jobs or work permits abroad to be cautious about offers promoted through social media.
Applicants have been advised to check the credentials and documents of agents or consultancies before making payments and to complete visa procedures through authorised agencies. The investigation is continuing.
Also Read: Bomb Threats To Gujarat Assembly, CMO: 2 Held As Cyber Probe Finds Bangladesh Link
