Woman dupes Gujarat resident on Canada visa pretext, police say

Police in Vadodara have opened a case against a woman who allegedly cheated a local resident of Rs 4.25 lakh on the pretext of Canada visa processing, highlighting a growing wave of visa fraud cases across Gujarat. Investigators said the accused, identified as Preeti Chauhan, presented herself as an overseas job consultant from Blue Tech Visa Consultancy and promised the victim, Rajesh Kumar Bapuji Patel of Chhani, a Canadian work visa and job offer.

According to the complaint, Chauhan first won Patel’s trust by saying he could pay later from his future salary in Canada, but then demanded money in stages for document checks, embassy fees, biometrics, and even flight booking. Patel told police he had shared his documents and sat for what he believed was a genuine interview via an international call, only to learn later that the interview was bogus. After transferring Rs 4.25 lakh in total, he said Chauhan stopped responding and switched off her phone.

Officers have registered a case against Chauhan and three others and launched an investigation under cheating and criminal breach of trust provisions. The case mirrors a pattern that has left many families in the state out of pocket and scrambling for answers when agents vanish once money changes hands.

Rise in visa-related scams across Gujarat

The complaint lands amid a sharp increase in visa-related scams. Police and consumer helplines have recorded a rise of more than 113% in such complaints in three years, with reported losses nearing Rs 74 lakh between 2020–21 and 2022–23.

Vadodara and Ahmedabad feature prominently in these reports, officials said, as fraudsters target workers and students with fake promises of Canadian, United States 🇺🇸, or Australian 🇦🇺 visas. Many cases involve:

• Forged letters and doctored sponsor papers
• False interviews arranged over internet calls to mimic overseas employers or immigration staff
• Short-lived storefronts and frequently changing phone numbers

Investigators and analysts note common fraudulent tactics, including setting up multiple bank accounts to hamper fund recovery.

Typical scam playbook (as seen in Blue Tech case)

Investigators described a familiar sequence of actions used by scammers:

1. Initial low-pressure pitch promising “pay after you get the job”.
2. Small “verification” payments requested first.
3. Escalating demands for embassy fees, biometrics, medical tests, and “clearance” fees.
4. Final demand for costs such as “priority flight booking.”
5. Contact ends once most funds have been transferred.

“These scams rely on trust and fear of missing out,” a senior officer said, speaking on background because the probe is active. “People see friends succeed abroad and drop their guard when someone offers a shortcut.”

Other recent cases in Gujarat (selected examples)

• Nadiad: Resident lost Rs 78 lakh to a group promising Canadian visas through multiple agents using forged documents.
• Ahmedabad: A couple were cheated of Rs 5 lakh for promised Canada work permits; they received refund cheques that bounced.
• Gandhinagar: A woman and her family lost Rs 27 lakh over fake sponsor letters and ineligible interviews.
• Gandhinagar (another case): A man paid Rs 25 lakh for permanent residency help, later found the file used forged papers.
• Multiple victims: Ten people together lost nearly Rs 1 crore to agents advertising quick overseas jobs and PR visas using fake documents and cheques.

How scammers operate (additional details)

• Use of the phrase “payment after job” has become a hallmark of these scams.
• Victims often receive scripted calls and emails with copied logos from real embassies or immigration offices.
• Fraudsters set up short-lived storefronts, frequently change numbers, and run multiple bank accounts to make tracing and recovery difficult.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates these operational patterns make it harder for police to recover funds once they have moved across accounts.

Warnings and official guidance

Authorities have urged residents to be wary of guaranteed outcomes, which are a major red flag since immigration decisions rest with government officers, not private agents. Canada’s federal department for immigration warns that no one can promise approval for a work permit or permanent residence, and that official fees are payable only to the government through designated channels.

For guidance on spotting scams, residents can review Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) fraud prevention guidance:
– https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud.html

Details from the Vadodara complaint

In the Vadodara case, police said the victim was told his “conditional approval” would lapse unless he transferred money for embassy processing and biometrics, which he did in stages. He was later asked to pay for a “priority flight booking,” at which point he grew suspicious because each request came without a receipt from a recognized authority.

By the time he approached police, calls to the consultant went unanswered and messages bounced. Officers are reviewing bank statements and call records and have contacted counterparts in other districts to see if the same group is linked to earlier complaints.

Impact beyond finances

Consumer groups describe the fallout as more than financial:

• Families sell jewelry, take loans, or exhaust savings to pay scammers.
• Losses can derail education plans, medical needs, and household budgets.
• Applicants fear their documents may be reused in other scams.
• Counselors in Ahmedabad reported increased stress-related cases among workers worried about being blacklisted, even when the agent was at fault.

Police recommend the following immediate actions after suspected fraud:

1. File a complaint quickly with local police or cybercrime units.
2. Preserve every message, receipt, and transaction record.
3. Avoid further transfers to anyone who cannot prove ties to a known employer or government office.

Law-enforcement measures and challenges

Officials say they are tightening coordination between cybercrime units and local stations to map repeated names and bank accounts across cases. They also plan to engage travel agents’ groups, since legitimate services like ticketing can be confused with unlawful visa or job claims.

• Tip-offs from banks and payment platforms have helped freeze some funds.
• Recovery remains difficult once money moves across multiple accounts or into short-lived entities.

Why the scam persists

Demand for overseas work remains strong across Gujarat, fed by stories of relatives and neighbors who have settled in Canada 🇨🇦, the United States 🇺🇸, or Australia 🇦🇺. Fraudsters exploit this hope by:

• Advertising fake employer tie-ups
• Placing fake interviews via international numbers
• Offering quick placement, salary-deduction payment options, or alleged embassy “links”

None of these claims hold up when victims ask for official receipts or confirm offers with real companies, investigators said.

Current status and advice

For Patel, the alleged cheating began with a simple phone call and ended with a police complaint naming Blue Tech Visa Consultancy and its representatives. He told officers he wanted others to see how easily a claim made under the pretext of Canada visa promises can drain savings built over years.

Police said the case will progress with statements, financial trails, and efforts to locate the accused. They reiterated these key warnings:

• Rely on verified channels and official government portals.
• Treat any “guaranteed visa” language as a clear warning sign.
• Preserve records and report suspected fraud immediately to improve chances of tracing funds.