Spurt in fraud by travel agents

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 19

Though the state government has asked the travel agencies to get themselves registered in order to curb human trafficking, several unscrupulous people and unauthorised travel agents have been operating sans licence and defrauding youths who wish to go abroad in search of greener pastures.

As per police records, regular instances are being reported wherein unscrupulous elements take hefty amount of money from people on the pretext of sending them abroad.

On February 2, the police booked two persons 1 Padmani Khanna of Loharka road and Resham Singh of Jandiala — for allegedly duping a city resident, Sunita Rani, of Rs 3.70 lakh on the pretest of sending her son to Singapore.

Similarly, on January 28, Patras Nahar was reportedly defrauded by Sarabjit Kaur and her husband Tarun Malhotra of Pahar Ganj in New Delhi. They took away Rs 7.50 lakh from him while promising to send his son and daughter abroad.

Again on January 25, a local resident, Sahil Kumar, was duped by Shashi Kumar of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, of Rs 1.73 lakh. The accused had promised to send him to Singapore.

Though the police have registered separate cases under different sections of the Indian Penal Code including fraud and forgery besides Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, the accused are yet to be arrested. According to the police, investigations are at initial stages.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and order) Amrik Singh Powar said the state government was serious over the issue as more and more people were being duped by fraudsters. Many youths have been left stranded in foreign countries. “Instead of approaching unauthorised travel agents, people should avail the services legal travel agencies registered with the government. Nearly 150 travel agencies have been registered with the administration so far,” he added.