The EditorEconomic Offences Wing Cracks Down on Overseas Fraud in Chika Area
Australia Visa Fraud Kaithal , December 15:
Under the directions of SP Upasana, Kaithal Police has intensified its action against fraudsters cheating innocent people in the name of sending them abroad. In a major breakthrough, the Economic Offences Wing arrested an accused involved in a large-scale fraud related to sending a youth to Australia.
According to the police spokesperson, the case was investigated under the supervision of Economic Cell In-charge Inspector Om Prakash, with SI Kulbir Singh and his team successfully arresting the accused Manish Singh, a resident of Naigaon, Palghar district, Maharashtra, from Naigaon, Mumbai.
Victim Lured With False Promise of Australia Immigration
As per the complaint filed by Mahindrapal, a resident of village Khedi Ghulam Ali, he wanted to send his son Naveen abroad for better opportunities. During this time, he came in contact with Ranjit Kaur, a resident of Bakala, Punjab, who was running an immigration office in Patiala under the name Ranjit Immigration.
Ranjit Kaur assured him that she would send Naveen to Australia and demanded ₹25 lakh for the process. She asked for ₹10 lakh as advance, with the remaining amount to be paid after Naveen reached Australia.
Money Taken, Fake Visa Provided
Between November 2023 and January 2024, the complainant paid ₹10 lakh to the accused. Ranjit Kaur later claimed that Naveen would first be sent to Bangkok and then onward to Australia.
On January 26, Naveen was sent to Bangkok. However, after four days, instead of being sent to Australia, he was instructed to travel to Mumbai. Naveen stayed in Mumbai for nearly two months.
During this period, on the instructions of the accused, Naveen transferred ₹4.76 lakh from his account to the bank account of Harjeet Kaur, an associate of the accused.
Cheque Bounce and Threats
In April 2024, Naveen returned home from Mumbai. When the family contacted the accused again, they were informed that a fake visa had been issued. Upon demanding their money back, the accused handed over a cheque, which later bounced.
When the complainant repeatedly demanded a refund, Ranjit Kaur and her associates assaulted him and issued death threats. Following this, a case was registered at Chika Police Station.
Role of Accused Manish Singh Revealed
Police investigation revealed that Manish Singh was actively involved in the fraud. Large amounts of money were transferred to his bank account, and the victim was kept in Mumbai under his supervision.
One accused had already been arrested earlier in the case. To further uncover the network, the court has granted two days of police remand of Manish Singh for detailed interrogation.
Police Appeal to Public
Kaithal Police has once again urged citizens to verify the credentials of immigration agents and avoid falling prey to fraudulent overseas job or visa schemes.
