Gujarat Farmer Files Complaint After Losing Rs 48 Lakh in Elaborate Canada Immigration Scam
A distressing case of immigration fraud has emerged from Gujarat, where a 32-year-old farmer has been allegedly cheated of a staggering sum of Rs 48.02 lakh by a visa consultancy that promised permanent residency in Canada for his wife. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) has taken cognizance of the matter, registering a formal case and initiating a thorough investigation into the elaborate scam.
Detailed Allegations of Financial Deception and False Promises
The complainant, a resident of Mansa in Gandhinagar district, approached CID (Crime) with a detailed account of the fraud. According to his complaint, he was approached by a Gandhinagar-based visa consultancy operating from Sector 16, along with its associates. They allegedly assured him that his wife would first secure a work permit for Canada, followed by permanent residency after one year of employment.
The financial transactions outlined in the complaint are substantial and methodical:
- An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on November 12, 2022, formalizing the agreement.
- An initial payment of Rs 10 lakh was made via cheque.
- Subsequently, Rs 5 lakh was transferred through RTGS.
- A significant cash payment of Rs 28 lakh was handed over through intermediaries at an office in Kalol.
- An additional Rs 1 lakh was spent on processing and documentation fees.
The Journey to Canada and the Shocking Revelation at Immigration
Following the payments and procedures, the complainant's wife underwent medical tests in Ahmedabad and submitted all required documents as instructed by the consultancy. She was later informed that a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) letter and a passport request had been issued. In October 2023, after receiving a work visa stamp at the visa application centre in Ahmedabad, she travelled to Toronto, Canada.
The situation took a drastic turn upon her arrival. Canadian immigration authorities reportedly examined her documents and declared that the company named in the LMIA had not issued any job offer. They termed the work letter invalid and presented her with two stark options: return to India immediately or apply for refugee status. Left with no viable alternative, she returned to India on October 29, 2023.
Additional Expenses and the Disappearing Act of the Accused
The financial ordeal did not end with the failed immigration attempt. The complainant alleges he incurred an additional Rs 4.02 lakh in expenses related to the debacle. This amount covered airfare, legal consultations in Canada, and related costs, including a payment of CAD 2,000 to a lawyer in Mississauga.
Upon returning to India and seeking answers, the farmer discovered that the consultancy's office had been shut down by December 2023, and all contact numbers were switched off. He further alleges that one of the key accused individuals had departed for Dubai. Despite assurances from the remaining associates that they would either arrange for his wife's travel again or refund the money, no restitution was provided.
The complaint explicitly states that the accused, "in collusion with each other, dishonestly induced us to part with money on false assurances of a Canada PR process."
Legal Action and Ongoing CID Investigation
CID (Crime) has registered a formal case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation is now active, with authorities working to trace the accused and unravel the full extent of the fraudulent operation. This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals seeking overseas opportunities and underscores the importance of verifying the credentials of immigration consultancies through official channels.
