A Gota-based family has allegedly fallen prey to a sophisticated visa fraud, losing nearly Rs. 23 lakh after being lured with promises of Australian work permits.
According to media reports, the complaint, filed by Rajendra Patel, an electrician by profession, details how four individuals posing as overseas consultants convinced him that they could secure long-term employment visas for his family.
According to Patel, he met the accused in October 2024 during his work at Sola Civil Hospital. They presented themselves as representatives of a firm called Aseema Overseas, claiming to operate from an office near Shyamal Crossroads.
The group offered to arrange three-year Australian work visas with automatic renewal for Patel, his wife Hemali, and their minor daughter, quoting a staggering fee of Rs. 83 lakh. Trusting their assurances, Patel began making payments as instructed.
The alleged fraudsters later told Patel that the visa formalities would be completed abroad. Over the next two months, he made several trips to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, paying additional amounts towards processing, travel, and cash payments, including foreign currency. Patel has alleged that the timelines kept changing, fresh demands for money were raised repeatedly, and at one point, the family’s passports were retained in Kuala Lumpur. To retrieve the passports and return home, Patel said he was forced to pay another Rs. 8 lakh.
The ordeal did not end there. Back in Ahmedabad, the accused reportedly handed over copies of what later turned out to be forged Australian visitor visas along with fake air tickets. Realising he had been deceived, Patel approached Anandnagar police, seeking action against all four accused.
Visa fraud has become an increasingly common trap for families across Gujarat, particularly among middle-class households aspiring to work or settle abroad. Fraudsters often pose as authorised consultants, use professional-sounding company names, and operate from rented offices to appear legitimate. Victims are frequently asked to make payments in instalments, making it harder to detect the scam early.
In a similar case reported last year, a couple from Mehsana was cheated of over Rs. 30 lakh after being promised Canadian work permits. The accused vanished after handing over forged documents just days before the couple’s planned travel. Another instance from Surat involved a group of textile workers who lost their savings to agents promising jobs in Europe, only to discover the visas were fake at the airport.
Police officials have repeatedly warned people to verify the credentials of visa consultants, cross-check registration details, and avoid handing over original passports or making large cash payments. Despite these advisories, desperation for overseas opportunities continues to make many vulnerable to such frauds, leaving families financially and emotionally shattered.
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/
