The Ludhiana Police have taken action against a travel agent from Gujarat, accusing him of orchestrating a massive fraud that cost a fellow agent from Punjab a staggering sum of Rs 4 crore. The scam, which revolved around the promise of securing work permits for the United Kingdom, has exposed a network of deception that left clients stranded and cheated.
The Core of the Multi-Crore Scam
According to the official complaint, the victim, Sukhchain Singh, who hails from Jaiton in Faridkot, approached the accused in June 2025. Singh sought the services of Mihul Soni, the director of Current Consultant Private Limited based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The deal was for Soni to arrange legitimate UK work permit visas for a group of 25 clients represented by Singh.
Trusting the assurances, Sukhchain Singh transferred a total of over Rs 4 crore to the Gujarat-based agent for this purpose. The transaction, which began with hope for better opportunities abroad, quickly turned into a nightmare.
Fake Permits and Harassment Abroad
The fraud came to light when the first batch of clients travelled to the UK. Initially, Mihul Soni sent three young individuals to the United Kingdom. However, upon arrival, they made a shocking discovery: the work permits provided to them were completely fake and invalid.
This left the trio in a precarious situation, facing significant difficulties and harassment in a foreign country. With no legal standing to work or reside, they were forced to return to India within a short period, their dreams and investments shattered. This distressing outcome prompted Sukhchain Singh to approach the authorities and file a formal complaint.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Ludhiana police, upon receiving the complaint, initiated a thorough probe. A detailed enquiry was conducted over six months to verify the allegations and gather evidence. Following this extensive investigation, the police formally registered a case.
The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Division No. 5 police station in Ludhiana. The accused, Mihul Soni, has been charged under Section 318(4) for Cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Immigration Act.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Sukhdeep Singh, the investigating officer from the Division Number 5 police station, confirmed the development. He stated that after concluding the enquiry, a case was registered and that a police team will be sent to Gujarat to apprehend the accused.
This case highlights the severe risks associated with illegal immigration consultants and fake document rackets. It serves as a stark warning for individuals seeking opportunities abroad to conduct extreme due diligence and only engage with officially recognized and verified agents.
