Surat Woman Loses Rs 21 Lakh in Elaborate UK Job and Visa Scam
A 27-year-old woman from Surat has fallen victim to a sophisticated job and visa scam, allegedly losing Rs 21.17 lakh after paying a total of Rs 41.52 lakh to three individuals who promised to secure her employment and visa for the United Kingdom. The accused later refunded Rs 20.36 lakh but failed to return the remaining amount, prompting the victim to file a formal complaint with the Utran police station.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to the complaint lodged by Dharmishta Sutariya, aged 27, she harbored aspirations of working abroad and sought a UK work visa. A relative introduced her to Anil Dhori, claiming that his son, Dhruv, based in the UK, could facilitate the process. Sutariya was then connected with Dhruv Dhori, who assured her that he would handle all visa and job formalities for an estimated cost ranging between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. He further mentioned that his associate, Dhruv Shah, also based in the UK, would assist in the proceedings.
Following their guidance, Sutariya and her husband prepared the necessary documentation and submitted the file to Anil Dhori. She proceeded to pay Rs 33.62 lakh in instalments directly to Anil, while the remaining amount was transferred to Dhruv Dhori and Dhruv Shah in the UK through her relative. Anil provided a written acknowledgment confirming receipt of Rs 41.52 lakh for the purpose of securing a UK job and visa.
Discovery of the Fake Appointment Letter
A few days later, Anil Dhori handed over an appointment letter that was purportedly issued by a UK-based company. However, when Sutariya took the initiative to verify the document on the official UK government portal, she uncovered that it was completely fabricated. Upon confronting the accused and threatening legal action, they refunded Rs 20.36 lakh but steadfastly refused to return the outstanding Rs 21.15 lakh, leaving her significantly out of pocket.
Police Investigation Underway
Based on Sutariya's detailed complaint, the Utran police have registered a formal case of cheating against all three accused: Anil Dhori, Dhruv Dhori, and Dhruv Shah. Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the fraud and bring the perpetrators to justice. This incident highlights the risks associated with unauthorized visa and job facilitation services, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and verify all offers through official channels.
