In a significant development, the Althan police in Surat have taken legal action against the proprietors of a Mumbai-based visa consultancy firm, accusing them of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that duped 17 local residents aspiring for work permits in Europe. The accused individuals, identified as Sonali Khanchandani and Dishant Maniar, are alleged to have collected a substantial sum of Rs 30.80 lakh from the victims under false pretenses, failing to secure any work permits as promised.
Background of the Fraudulent Collaboration
The case came to light through a complaint filed by Bhumika Dilkhush, a 47-year-old visa consultant operating in Althan, Surat. Dilkhush had maintained a professional relationship with Shrikant Sharma for several years, collaborating on visa processing and legal verification tasks. It was Sharma who introduced her to Khanchandani and Maniar, who owned a consultancy firm based in Malad, Mumbai.
To formalize their partnership, the parties entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which outlined the terms and conditions of their collaborative efforts. This agreement was intended to streamline the process of assisting clients with obtaining work permits for European countries.
Escalation of the Scam and Financial Losses
Initially, Dilkhush referred four clients to the Mumbai-based duo, transferring an amount of Rs 10.20 lakh for the processing of their work permits. Encouraged by the initial engagement, she subsequently referred an additional 13 clients who were seeking Austrian work permits, forwarding another Rs 20.60 lakh to the accused.
However, as the promised timeframe for delivering the visas and permits elapsed without any results, the accused began offering a series of excuses. They cited delays at the embassy and other procedural hurdles, which raised suspicions among the victims and Dilkhush.
Exposure of the Deception
The situation worsened when the accused also offered work permits for Luxembourg. Dilkhush decided to verify the authenticity of these offers by contacting the company that the duo had recommended. To her dismay, the company explicitly denied issuing any job offers or having any association with the accused.
Realizing that she and her clients had been systematically deceived, Dilkhush demanded the immediate return of the total amount of Rs 30.80 lakh on behalf of the 17 affected individuals. Despite her repeated requests, the accused refused to refund the money, leading to the filing of a formal police complaint.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The Althan police have now booked Sonali Khanchandani and Dishant Maniar under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and criminal breach of trust. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to gather further evidence and track down the accused, who are believed to be based in Mumbai.
This case highlights the risks associated with visa consultancy services and underscores the importance of due diligence when engaging with firms promising overseas employment opportunities. Victims are urged to report such fraudulent activities to prevent further exploitation.
