Bunty–Babli dupe beautician of ₹15 lakh on promise of UK work permit visa in Nikol

A beautician from Nikol in Ahmedabad has lodged a complaint with the city police alleging that she was duped of nearly ₹15 lakh by a man–woman duo who promised her a work permit visa for the United Kingdom.

The accused allegedly fabricated documents, including a forged permission of work (POW) letter and a fake company appointment letter, and even sent doctored payment screenshots to convince her that the visa process was genuine.

According to the FIR registered at Nikol police station, the complainant, Pritiben Nai, who works as a beautician, came in contact with Roshni Vaghela in January 2024 while attending IELTS coaching classes. During conversations, Pritiben revealed that her earlier attempt to secure a Canadian work permit visa had failed. Roshni allegedly told her that she was employed with Rahi Tours and Travels at Jivraj Park and could help arrange a UK work permit visa along with employment opportunities.

Subsequently, Roshni introduced her to the company’s owner, Yaman Dabhi, who assured Pritiben that within four months he would secure her a UK work permit visa at a total cost of ₹18 lakh. Believing him, she submitted her documents and gradually paid ₹16.99 lakh in instalments.

The accused later sent her a POW letter and another letter purportedly issued by a UK-based company claiming she would be employed in the cosmetics trade. However, the complainant later discovered that the address provided for biometric verification had been shut for over three years and that the company in question was in fact an alcohol business, not a cosmetics firm.

When Pritiben demanded her money back, the accused allegedly returned only ₹2 lakh, while withholding the remaining ₹15 lakh. To mislead her further, they also sent her screenshots showing a fake transfer of the amount.

On realising she had been defrauded, Pritiben approached the police, who have booked both Roshni Vaghela and Yaman Dabhi under charges of cheating and forgery.

Police said further investigation is under way to verify whether the accused have duped others using similar methods.