Over 100 duped in immigration scam, 3 arrested

The anti-immigration fraud unit here has arrested three members, including the mastermind, of an inter-state gang that allegedly duped over 100 people on the pretext of sending them abroad.

During the raids, the police recovered 874 grams of gold and diamond jewellery (around 25% diamond content) worth Rs 1.25 crore, Rs 26.50 lakh, 12 mobile phones, a laptop, 25 ATM cards, two passports, and an XUV 500.

Investigations revealed that the gang operated across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, maintaining fake bank accounts and SIM cards, possibly with insider help from bank and telecom staff.

Panchkula ACP Vikram Nehra stated that on July 22, Sector 32 resident Shivcharan Singh lodged a complaint with the Chandimandir police, alleging that he wanted to send his son, Gurvinder Singh, to Australia. Through an acquaintance, he was introduced to Sahil Sharma of Ambala, who posed as an authorised agent for overseas placement. Sharma demanded Rs 14 lakh — Rs 5 lakh was transferred to his account and Rs 9 lakh paid in cash.

The police arrested Paramjit Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib from Kharar on October 24 following a tip-off. He was found using a fake identity, “Pradeep Singh”. His interrogation led to the arrest of the main accused, Sahil Sharma, from a rented accommodation in Jaipur on November 3. According to the police, Sahil, an MBA graduate, had previously been appointed as a government teacher. He frequently changed locations using fake SIM cards and multiple mobile phones and had recently shifted operations to Rajasthan to expand his network. He used forged identities to dupe people. He had earlier been arrested by the Jalandhar police under a false name but absconded after being released on bail. Sharma has been declared a proclaimed offender in six cases in Punjab.

A woman accomplice, Ramanpreet Kaur of Yamunanagar, was brought on production warrant.

On June 10, the accused summoned about 80 people to Delhi airport with fake passports and tickets for Australia before fleeing. The gang also operated offices in Ludhiana, Zirakpur and Yamunanagar.