A Surat man, Vanrajsinh Rathod, was deported from Zurich airport in April 2025 after Swiss immigration officers discovered he was traveling with forged visa documents. Rathod, who was on his way to Canada, had received these documents from a visa agent, Sandip Parikh, and his wife, Gita Parikh. Authorities quickly canceled his Canadian visa and informed the Canadian embassy about the fraud, highlighting the growing risks faced by Indian travelers using unverified visa agents.
The case is part of a larger scam involving a Surat-based visa consultancy firm. The firm, run by Aryan Shaikh and Pratik Ahir, trusted the Parikhs after seeing their Instagram advertisement and began forwarding client documents to them in March 2024. The Parikhs, along with associates Rohit Kacha Patel, Jaimin Shah, and Sameer Vora, promised work permits and visas for countries like the UK, United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and New Zealand for Rs 14.5 lakh per client. Instead, they provided forged visa documents, collecting a total of Rs 86 lakh from clients. Although Rs 21 lakh was returned, Rs 65 lakh remains unpaid. The Umra police have registered a case against the Parikhs and their associates, and investigations are ongoing.
This scam has severely damaged the reputation of the Surat firm and left many clients facing canceled trips, lost money, and legal trouble. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such incidents are becoming more common, with authorities in Switzerland 🇨🇭, Canada 🇨🇦, and India working together to investigate and prosecute visa fraud. In a related case, another Surat immigration consultant lost Rs 32 lakh to a different visa firm owner who also provided forged documents for Canada and New Zealand. The accused in that case has been arrested, and police are continuing their inquiries.
Globally, 2025 has seen a rise in visa fraud cases, with countries like the United States 🇺🇸 increasing efforts to stop scams involving forged documents and fake marriages. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has stepped up support for federal investigations and prosecutions of large-scale immigration fraud schemes. This trend means that visa applications and transit points like Zurich are under closer scrutiny, making it even more important for travelers to use trusted channels.
For anyone affected by such scams, there are important steps to take:
- Always verify visa documents directly with the embassy or official government websites before traveling.
- Report suspected visa fraud to local police and immigration authorities right away.
- Keep detailed records of all payments and communications with visa agents.
- Seek legal help if you become involved in a visa fraud case or face deportation.
To learn more about reporting immigration fraud, visit the official USCIS immigration fraud tip page.
Visa fraud not only causes financial loss and travel problems for individuals but also harms the reputation of legitimate visa consultants. As authorities continue to crack down on scams, stricter rules and better checks at airports and embassies are expected, helping protect honest travelers and businesses from future harm.
Learn Today
Deportation → The formal removal of a person from a country due to violation of immigration laws.
Forgery → The act of creating fake documents or signatures to deceive authorities or individuals.
Visa agent → An individual or firm assisting applicants in obtaining visas, sometimes illegally or fraudulently.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency overseeing immigration enforcement and benefits.
Work permit → Official authorization allowing a foreign national to work legally in a specific country.
This Article in a Nutshell
In April 2025, Vanrajsinh Rathod was deported from Zurich for forged Canadian visa documents. The scam involved a Surat firm defrauding clients Rs 86 lakh by selling fake visas, spotlighting global crackdowns on visa fraud to protect honest travelers and businesses worldwide in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
