In a significant crackdown, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Police in New Delhi has successfully dismantled an interstate syndicate involved in forging and supplying counterfeit French visas to Indian citizens aspiring for jobs overseas. The police have arrested four individuals, including an agent from Tamil Nadu and three passengers who were caught with the fake documents.
The Interception at Terminal 3
The racket came to light on October 28, when vigilant immigration officers stationed at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport intercepted three Indian-origin passengers. The trio was attempting to board a flight to Paris using what appeared to be French D-type visas. Upon close inspection, the officials determined the visas were forged and lacked several crucial security features, leading to the immediate detention of the passengers.
The arrested passengers were identified as Naveeraj Subramaniyam (23) and Prabhakaran Senthilkumar (28), both hailing from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu, and Mohan Gandhi Elangovan (38) from Tiruchirappalli, also in Tamil Nadu. A formal case was registered against them under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Passport Act at the IGI Airport police station.
Unraveling the Syndicate and Arrest of the Mastermind
During interrogation, the arrested passengers revealed the financial mechanics of the scam. Subramaniyam claimed his brother had arranged the fake visa for him at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. Senthilkumar and Elangovan, however, disclosed that they had each paid a staggering Rs 12 lakh to a Namakkal-based agent for the fraudulent documents.
Acting on this crucial information, the police identified the agent as V Kannan (55). A team was dispatched to Namakkal, where Kannan was traced and arrested. Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Vichitra Veer provided details about the accused, stating, "Kannan told the team that he runs a government-affiliated Industrial Training Institute in Paramathi and also operates an overseas consultancy in Velur."
Kannan further named an associate, Sathik Syed alias Abdul Hakim from Madurai, who is currently absconding. Police are conducting raids to apprehend him.
Modus Operandi and Wider Crackdown
Investigators have uncovered that the syndicate specifically targeted Indian job seekers, luring them with promises of lucrative warehouse employment opportunities in Paris. To appear legitimate, the accused would conduct brief interviews with the candidates before demanding payment and arranging the counterfeit visas. The transactions were cleverly split, with payments taken partly in cash and partly via bank transfers.
Preliminary investigations suggest this interstate fake visa racket had ensnared at least 16 job seekers. This case is part of a broader enforcement drive by the IGIA Police. Officials revealed that in the last month alone, 26 people, including six agents, were either arrested or booked in cases related to forged travel documents. Additionally, 28 touts were arrested during the same period in a separate crackdown.
The bust highlights the ongoing challenges of immigration fraud and the sophisticated methods employed by syndicates to exploit the aspirations of Indians seeking work abroad. Authorities have issued advisories for citizens to verify the credentials of overseas consultancies through official channels before making any payments.
