Overseas Education Consultant Charged in Pilibhit for Duping Retired Army Veteran
A New Delhi-based overseas education consultant has been formally charged for allegedly cheating a retired armyman of over Rs 14 lakh in a fraudulent study visa racket. The incident occurred in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting vulnerabilities in the overseas education consultancy sector.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The veteran, a resident of Baden Kanja village under the Kareli police station in Pilibhit district, fell victim to the scam. Mandeep Singh, posing as the proprietor of a firm, promised to secure a study visa for Randhir Singh’s 20-year-old son for a total fee of Rs 15 lakh. Trusting the consultant, Randhir Singh transferred Rs 14.57 lakh to the accused's account.
However, after a year had passed with no progress, Randhir Singh contacted the consulate directly. To his shock, he discovered that no visa application had been filed on behalf of his son. This revelation prompted him to file a formal complaint with SP Sukirti Madhav.
Complaint and Further Allegations
In his complaint, the army veteran detailed that Mandeep Singh was known to his father and had agreed to arrange his son Ranjit Singh’s admission in Australia. Specifically, Randhir transferred Rs 13.7 lakh to the accused’s bank account and paid an additional Rs 50,000 in cash as part of the deal.
Randhir later alleged that the accused had duped several other individuals by making similar false promises of securing study visas. In an attempt to recover his money, he approached the accused’s parents in Delhi, seeking a refund. However, he was allegedly misled with repeated assurances that the visa would be arranged soon, with no actual action taken.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
SHO Vipin Shukla confirmed that Mandeep Singh, along with his father, Gyan Singh, and mother, has been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 318(4) for cheating and fraud, and 316(2) for criminal breach of trust. The police have stated that further investigation is currently underway to uncover the full extent of the scam and identify any additional victims.
This case underscores the importance of due diligence when engaging with overseas education consultants, especially for families investing significant sums in their children's future. Authorities are urging the public to verify the credentials of such consultants and report any suspicious activities to prevent similar frauds.
