Gandhinagar resident alleges ₹1.29 lakh cheating in Canada work permit scam

A resident of Gandhinagar district has alleged that he and his family members were cheated of ₹1.29 lakh by an Ahmedabad-based overseas consultancy firm on the promise of securing Canadian work permits. Ellisbridge police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.

As per the First Information Report (FIR), Mahesh Kumar Jayantibhai Patel, a freelance worker residing in Gandhinagar, lodged a complaint stating that he, his younger brother Chintanbhai and his uncle’s daughter Dishana had planned to travel to Canada for work in August 2024.

In his complaint, Patel stated that he came across an advertisement on his mobile phone claiming that candidates were required for Canadian work permits. He called the number mentioned in the advertisement and spoke to a person who identified himself as Rohit Ratilal Daslaniya.

The caller allegedly asked Patel to visit the office of Gurukrupa Overseas,at 701, Mahakant Complex, near V ScHospital in Ahmedabad, assuring him that all details would be explained in person. A few days later, Patel visited the office and met Daslaniya.

During the meeting, the accused allegedly informed him that the consultancy fee would be ₹21,500 per person. Patel claimed he was told to transfer the amount online. On August 24, 2024, he transferred ₹14,500 through Google Pay to a mobile number allegedly provided by the accused.

Subsequently, he was allegedly told that ₹59,520 was required towards “assessment of documents” and processing of the Canadian work permit application. On September 6, Patel transferred the amount via Amazon Pay to a UPI ID in the name of ‘Shri Gurukrupa Overseas’. He further claimed that he spent an additional ₹5,000 for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and apostille charges on the advice of the accused.

In total, Patel stated that he paid ₹1.29 lakh towards consultancy fees, document assessment, and related charges.

However, despite repeated follow-ups, he allegedly did not receive any documents related to the promised work permit, visa processing or World Education Services (WES) assessment. When he attempted to contact the accused, he reportedly received evasive responses.

Patel further stated that when he visited the Mahakant Complex office again, he found it shut. He alleged that the accused failed to refund the consultancy fee, WES charges, PCC and apostille expenses, thereby cheating him and his family.

Ellisbridge police have registered the offence under relevant sections pertaining to cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Police officials said further investigation is under way to verify the financial transactions, examine documentary evidence and ascertain whether other persons may have been similarly duped.