Noida Police Crack Down on Elaborate Fake Visa Scam at Gaur City Mall
In a significant breakthrough, the Noida police have successfully busted a sophisticated fake visa racket that was being operated from a shop located within the bustling Gaur City mall. The criminal gang allegedly lured unsuspecting individuals with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, collecting their passports and demanding substantial fees before circulating forged documents through WhatsApp.
Arrest and Seizure of Incriminating Evidence
One of the prime accused, identified as Saksham Sharma, also known as Bittu, a resident of Karnal in Haryana, has been apprehended by the authorities. During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered a total of eight passports, Rs 47,000 in cash, and an extensive cache of forged documents along with various tools that were instrumental in executing the fraudulent scheme.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudulent Operation
Central Noida Deputy Commissioner of Police Shakti Mohan Avasthy provided detailed insights into the case, revealing that a formal complaint of cheating and forgery was registered against Bittu and his associate, Rajiv Sharma alias Surendra, this past Saturday. The duo had established an office under the guise of Sky Visa Venture within the Gaur City mall premises.
Their deceptive tactics involved contacting potential victims through phone calls and other communication channels, offering them work visas to facilitate their relocation to foreign countries. The accused would then take possession of the applicants' passports, charging exorbitant fees ranging from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per person. In certain instances, they even went so far as to sign formal agreements, falsely guaranteeing employment in nations such as Finland, Poland, and Russia.
Discovery of Forged Documents and Police Investigation
When the customers began to demand their visas, the accused allegedly fabricated counterfeit documents and transmitted digital copies directly to their mobile phones. It was only when the victims took the initiative to verify these documents with the respective embassies that the elaborate forgery was uncovered.
Police investigations have further revealed that multiple cases linked to this duo have already been registered in the Medical police station area of Meerut and in Panipat, Haryana. In response, a specialized police team has been constituted to track down and apprehend the second accused, who remains at large.
Coordinated Police Action and Additional Seizures
Acting on a combination of local intelligence and meticulous electronic surveillance, a dedicated police team managed to arrest Bittu on Sunday from ATS Road. The items confiscated during this operation are extensive and include 24 fake visa photocopies, six blank visa envelopes, 90 visiting cards, 37 letter pads, two counterfeit seals, three mobile phones, along with various firm documents and certificates.
This case underscores the growing prevalence of such fraudulent schemes that exploit the aspirations of individuals seeking better opportunities overseas. The Noida police have issued a stern warning to the public, urging them to exercise extreme caution and conduct thorough verifications before engaging with any visa consultancy services.
