Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A Gujarat couple has been arrested for duping people with promises of jobs abroad and fake e-visas, with the total amount of the suspected fraud crossing Rs 1 crore, Anand police said.
The accused ran Krishna Overseas Consultancy from Anand and used social media advertisements to lure people with promises of work permits, well-paying jobs, accommodation and food in European countries and Dubai.
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Police said complaints initially pointed to a fraud of Rs 78.80 lakh. As the investigation progressed and statements from more victims were recorded, the alleged amount rose to Rs 1,06,26,960. So far, 29 people are suspected to have been cheated.
The arrested accused have been identified as 41-year-old Ankitaben Hardik Shah and her 47-year-old husband, Hardik Hasmukhbhai Shah. A third accused, Nandkumar Damubhai Ukani, is absconding.
SOCIAL MEDIA ADS PROMISED JOBS ABROAD
According to police, the racket operated through attractive advertisements posted on social media by Krishna Overseas Consultancy.
The advertisements promised work permits and e-visas for Serbia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Armenia and Dubai, along with good salaries and accommodation and food. The offers were aimed at people hoping to earn more and settle abroad.
Among those who fell for the promises was Kundanben Patel, a resident of Petlad. She and several others paid lakhs of rupees towards visa processing, police said.
The accused gave applicants e-visas to gain their trust. However, when the time came to travel abroad, the victims discovered that the companies named on the work permits and e-visas did not exist.
The applicants were not sent abroad and, according to the complaints, their money was also not returned.
COMPLAINT TRIGGERS POLICE INVESTIGATION
Kundanben’s complaint was registered on September 10.
Following the complaint, a special investigation team was formed. The police team raided the consultancy’s office and locations linked to the accused and seized documents considered important to the investigation.
The initial investigation revealed an fraud of Rs 78.80 lakh. However, after police recorded statements from other victims, the amount increased to Rs 1,06,26,960.
Police are now examining the accused’s bank accounts to determine where the money was transferred and how it was used.
TWO ARRESTED, THIRD ACCUSED ABSCONDING
Police arrested Ankitaben Hardik Shah on September 11, while her husband Hardik Hasmukhbhai Shah was arrested on September 12.
The couple are originally from Songadh in Bhavnagar district and were living in Anand at the time, police said.
The third accused, Nandkumar Damubhai Ukani, a resident of Anand, remains absconding. Separate police teams are conducting searches at possible locations to trace him.
The investigation is also focused on establishing whether more people were involved in the racket and whether there are additional victims.
POLICE ISSUE WARNING TO VISA SEEKERS
Anand police have appealed to people seeking jobs or work permits abroad not to blindly trust attractive advertisements on social media.
Police advised people to verify the credentials and documents of agents or consultancies before making any payment and to complete visa procedures only through authorised agencies.
– Ends
With inputs from Hetali M Shah
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
