Fake visa racket busted, three arrested
The Delhi Police have busted a fake visa gang that defrauded individuals seeking employment visas and arrested three people, officials said on Wednesday.
The police said the accused, posing as representatives of VFS Global, a visa and passport administration outsourcing company, allegedly targeted both Indian and foreign nationals, promising visa-related services in exchange for hefty payments.
The operation involved forged documents, fake identities and misuse of the VFS Global logo, according to the police.
The case came to light following a complaint by a consultant with VFS Global. The complainant reported that individuals using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Telegram were impersonating VFS officials, officials said.
“They created fake profiles, used the VFS logo and lured victims by offering visa appointment letters, especially for employment visas, which are harder to secure,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjay Bhatia.
The accused allegedly charged significant amounts for these services, only to provide fake documents edited using online tools such as “I Love PDF Editor”, Bhatia added.
The police identified the suspects’ online profiles and their fraudulent activities. The team uncovered evidence, including forged documents, mobile phones, laptops and fake bank accounts used in the transactions.
One of the victims, identified as Aamil Sheikh, was duped of Rs 2.5 lakh for a forged visa appointment letter to Poland. This led investigators to the first arrest — Chandan Baranwal, alias Parveen Sahoo — on November 6 from Uttar Pradesh.
“Bank records revealed a long trail of fraudulent transactions, linking multiple victims to the accused. This financial trail, coupled with digital evidence, helped connect the dots,” a police official said.
Baranwal’s interrogation revealed the involvement of two accomplices — Ritesh Tiwari and Dr Azad Pratap Rao — who were later arrested. The accused used multiple fake SIM cards and bank accounts to cover their tracks.
Tiwari (28), a BBA/MBA graduate, had previously worked in an immigration consultancy firm in Bhikaji Cama Place, Delhi. The police said he managed victim interactions and the financial transactions.
Baranwal (26), a tech-savvy individual, specialised in editing visa appointment letters. He allegedly played a central role in connecting with victims and modifying documents. Officials said he and Tiwari were the key conspirators.
The third accused, Dr Azad Pratap Rao (23), is an optometrist and clinic owner in Hatta. Rao provided the bank account details where victims transferred money.
According to officials, the group primarily targeted individuals struggling to secure employment visas. They used fake social media profiles and email IDs to pose as VFS Global representatives.
Genuine visa appointment letters, typically for tourist or business visas, were edited to appear as employment visas and sent to victims.
“The accused exploited the demand for employment visas, offering a ‘shortcut’ that ultimately turned out to be a trap,” an officer added. The police have identified multiple victims and are currently tracing the money trail, which spans several accounts.
