Fake agents leverage new visa norms to their advantage

As Australia and Canada tighten their student visa norms, thousands of youngsters stare at a bleak future.

As legitimate pathways narrow, unscrupulous immigration agents enter the picture.

While the exact number of youngsters falling prey to such fraudsters is difficult to ascertain, many continue to part with large sums of their families’ hard-earned money in hope of securing work or student visas.

One such victim — Prabhjeet Singh, a resident of Bhaini Sahib village in Ludhiana district — who claims to have lost nearly Rs 17 lakh to a local agent, said: “I was promised an Australian work visa for Rs 22 lakh. After taking nearly Rs 11 lakh from me, they told me that the visa had been issued, but said nothing about the ordeal that followed.”

“I was made to travel to Bangkok, Jakarta and Bali. At every place, I was made to stay in crowded rooms with around 15 to 20 other persons. All of them had been promised an Australian work visa,” Prabhjeet said, adding that the experience eventually made him realise that something was seriously wrong.

Another youngster, Daljit Singh of Batala, said he too was taken from one place to another and kept in overcrowded accommodation, while agents continued demanding more money.

“Every day, the travel agents demanded more money. Four of us eventually realised what was happening and decided to return to India on our own,” he said.

Prabhjeet is now trying to recover his money. He has been seeking the return of the amount from Umesh Prashar and Lakshami Prashar, residents of the Naraingarh area, who allegedly run an immigration office, KY Destinations, in Ranjit Avenue.

According to Prabhjit and members of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, the couple has already left their residence.

Communist leader Balwinder Singh Jhabal alleged that the agents had returned Rs 2 lakh in cash and issued cheques for the remaining amount, but the cheques subsequently bounced. “The agents have now left their home. Residents of the locality told us that those duped often come looking for the two,” he said.

Border Area Sangharsh Committee leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said the tightening of legitimate immigration routes was exposing vulnerable youngsters to greater risks.

“When it becomes difficult to get visa, youngsters adopt various means to realise their foreign dream, and eventually fall prey to fraudster,” he said. Randhawa urged the government to act against such immigration agents.