The Anti-Emigration Fraud Unit of Panchkula police has arrested the fourth accused in a high-profile immigration fraud case involving Rs 12.30 lakh. The accused, Azad Singh of Panipat, was apprehended at Amritsar airport on Thursday while attempting to board a flight to Malaysia. He had been evading arrest for months, prompting the police to issue a look-out circular (LOC) against him on June 23, 2024.
Arrest and Remand
Azad Singh was brought to Panchkula and produced before a local court, which granted the police a three-day remand for detailed interrogation and recovery of the defrauded amount. According to Panchkula police officials, the remand is crucial to trace the money trail and identify any other accomplices involved in the scam.
How the Fraud Operated
The case dates back to March 7, 2024, when an FIR was registered at Raipur Rani Police Station under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 24 of the Immigration Act. The complaint was filed by a Panchkula resident who alleged that the accused promised to send him legally to the United States on a tourist visa. The deal was fixed at Rs 38 lakh, and an initial payment of Rs 12.30 lakh was collected from him.
Instead of facilitating travel to the US, the accused first sent the complainant to Dubai and then to Armenia, repeatedly assuring him that he would soon be sent to America. When the complainant realized he had been cheated, he returned to India and lodged a police complaint.
Previous Arrests and Investigation
Prior to Azad Singh's arrest, the police had already apprehended three other accused in the case: Baljinder, Vikas alias Vicky, and Pankaj Chauhan. A chargesheet has been filed against them in court. The arrest of Azad Singh is seen as a major breakthrough in dismantling the illegal immigration network, often referred to as the 'Dunki route,' which exploits aspiring migrants seeking to reach developed countries.
Police sources revealed that the accused used a modus operandi of sending victims to intermediate countries before abandoning them. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are probing whether the gang has links to similar cases in other states.
