The NRI wing of the Mohali police has taken decisive legal action by registering a formal case of fraud against an immigration consultant and his spouse. The couple stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scam, cheating a young man out of a substantial sum of money with false promises of securing him a work visa for the United Kingdom.
Complaint Details and Modus Operandi
The case was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by Kunal Sharma, who hails from Gang Jindbari village in the Rupnagar district. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Sharma's ordeal began in 2024 when he first connected with the accused, Abhinandan Pandey and his wife Meenakshi, through social media platforms.
The accused allegedly presented themselves as legitimate immigration agents and made enticing promises to arrange a work visa for Sharma to move to England. Convinced by their assurances, the victim proceeded to make payments totalling a staggering Rs 21 lakh. The transaction involved Rs 9 lakh paid in cash, with the remaining amount transferred through various banking channels.
Vanishing Act and Police Intervention
After the entire sum was secured, the narrative took a predictable turn for the worse. The Pandey couple began employing delay tactics, providing excuses instead of progress on the visa application. Eventually, they cut off all communication, becoming unresponsive to Sharma's repeated phone calls and messages.
Realising he had fallen victim to an elaborate deception, Sharma approached the NRI Wing of the Punjab Police to seek justice. Following a preliminary inquiry into the allegations, the office of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), NRI wing, directed the Mohali NRI police station to formally register the case.
Legal Framework and Ongoing Investigation
Acting on these orders, the police have registered an FIR under specific sections of the new criminal code. The charges have been framed under Sections 318(4) and 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation has been assigned to Assistant Sub-Inspector Raj Kumar, who is now leading the efforts to track down and apprehend the accused couple.
This case highlights the risks associated with unauthorized immigration agents and the importance of verifying credentials before making large financial commitments. The Mohali police's NRI wing continues its probe, aiming to bring the perpetrators to justice and recover the defrauded funds.
