Fake work visa: Ahmedabad businessman duped of ₹1.23 cr by Noida firm

A businessman from the Satellite, Ahmedabad, engaged in immigration and visa services, was allegedly duped of ₹1.23 crore by a Noida-based firm on the pretext of providing work visas for New Zealand and Australia.

The businessman had entered into an agreement with the firm and sent around 20 files along with the payment, but the firm’s three associates sent fake New Zealand work visas and committed fraud. Following this, the Satellite police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.

As per reports, Subhash Adak, a resident of Maninagar, runs a firm near Iskon Cross Road that deals with visas and passports. In November 2023, Adak entered into an agreement with a Noida-based company named Vistory Consultancy for processing work visas for countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. During the process, Adak was in contact with three individuals from the firm named Varun, Mahek, and Pooja.

Adak sent 10 files for Australia work visas and 10 files for New Zealand work visas, along with a total payment of ₹1.44 crore for processing. Generally, the visa process is expected to be completed within four months, but even after six months, no progress was made. When Adak inquired about the delay, the firm responded by saying that the rules for New Zealand visas had changed, and the process was taking longer.

A few days later, Varun from the Noida firm sent eight New Zealand work visas, but upon verification, the visas turned out to be fake. Realising the fraud, Adak demanded a refund of his money, after which Varun returned ₹20 lakh, but the remaining amount was not refunded.

After several failed attempts to recover the remaining money, Adak finally approached the Satellite Police Station and filed a complaint. Acting on the complaint, the police have started a probe into the matter.