Delhi: A major fake visa racket was uncovered in New Delhi after a man from Haryana, Sandeep, was caught at the Delhi airport on September 2, 2024, attempting to fly to Italy on a counterfeit Swedish visa. During an immigration check, Sandeep disclosed that many others from his village had used similar fake visas to travel abroad.
Deputy Commissioner of Police at IGI Airport, Usha Rangrani, confirmed that a total of six people have been arrested so far, and the investigation is ongoing. The authorities are continuing to dismantle the remaining networks connected to this large-scale visa fraud.
Five years, 5,000 visas, ₹ 300 crore
According to the Delhi Police, the gang behind this operation had been active for five years, creating between 4,000 to 5,000 fake visas during this time, and generating nearly ₹300 crore. The operation involved crafting 30 to 60 fake visas every month, with each counterfeit visa being sold for between ₹8 to 10 lakh.
Arrests and investigation details
After Sandeep's confession, the police arrested his agent, Asif Ali, along with two other key members, Shiva Gautam and Naveen Rana. Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional agents, Balbir Singh and Jaswinder Singh, and the discovery of a factory in Delhi's Tilak Nagar, where the fake visas were manufactured.
The factory was operated by Manoj Monga, a graphic designer who had met Jaideep Singh five years ago. Jaideep encouraged Manoj to use his graphic design skills to produce counterfeit visas, providing the necessary equipment to carry out the illegal activity.
The police recovered significant equipment used to make fake visas, including dye machines, printers, laminating sheets, UV machines, and laptops. In addition to this, 16 Nepali passports, two Indian passports, 30 fake visa stickers, and 23 visa stamps were also seized during the raid.
Digital tools used for coordination
The gang used encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp for communication and had a vast network of agents across regions who targeted individuals seeking overseas employment.
Impact of the scam
Fake visa scams like the one uncovered in Delhi have far-reaching consequences, both for individuals and society. On a personal level, victims often lose their life savings in the hopes of securing better opportunities abroad, only to find themselves stranded or facing legal repercussions in foreign countries. For society, these scams undermine the integrity of immigration systems, complicating legitimate visa processes and straining international relations. Additionally, they fuel human trafficking and exploitation, putting individuals at risk of unsafe work conditions and even modern-day slavery.