Former Punjab Police cop, mobile repair shop owner lose Rs 28.53 lakh to travel agents
A retired assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the Punjab Police was also not spared by travel agents and was duped of Rs 19.53 lakh. In another incident, a mobile shop owner was duped of Rs 9 lakh on the pretext of sending him to Canada. Five travel agents, including two couples, were booked by the Jagraon City police.
In the case of fraud with the retired cop, the booked suspects were identified as Som Dutt and his wife Kanchana, residents of Baga Purana, Moga, and Pardeep Singh of Moga.
The complainant, Darshan Singh, of Jagraon said he was a retired ASI of the Punjab Police. He wanted to send his son Akashdeep Singh, daughter Lovepreet Kaur and nephew Lakhveer Singh to Canada. His acquaintance Manjit Kaur introduced him to travel agent Som Dutt, his wife Kanchana and Pardeep. The trio assured to send his son, daughter and nephew to Canada.
“After taking Rs 19.53 lakh from me, the agents failed to arrange visas. When we asked them to return our money or give us visas, they sent us fake visas. However, during enquiry, the visas were found fake. A complaint was then lodged, which led to the registration of an FIR,” the complainant said.
In the other case, a mobile repair shop owner was duped of Rs 9 lakh by a travel agent couple, identified as Surinderpal Singh and his wife Paramjit Kaur, residents of the Sherpur chowk area.
Complainant Manpreet Singh, a resident of Jandiali village, said he runs a mobile repair shop in the village. He wanted to go abroad due to which he contacted his aunt’s acquaintance, agent Paramjit Kaur and her husband Surinderpal Singh, who have their office, Guru Nanak Air Travel at Sherpur Chowk, Jagraon. On September 25, 2023, he came to Jagraon with his friend Manpreet Singh Boparai to their office.
The complainant said the couple assured that they would send him to Canada and in lieu, they demanded Rs 16 lakh but the cost of insurance and air ticket was to be paid separately. The duo took his original passport, photocopies of other documents and photographs, etc. to file his visa application for Canada. They took Rs 9 lakh in advance from him and handed over him photocopies of a fake visa. After he got to know about the fraud, he lodged a complaint and a case was registered against the couple.
“Earlier, the couple had named their office as Guru Nanak Air Travel but recently they changed its name. The suspects are responsible for dashing my dreams of settling in Canada. Strict punishment should be given to them,” the complainant said.
The Jagraon police launched probe after registering the cases.
Two couples among five booked
Five travel agents, including two couples, were booked by the Jagraon City police. In the case of fraud with the retired cop, the booked suspects were identified as Som Dutt and his wife Kanchana and Pardeep Singh. In the other incident, a mobile repair shop owner was duped of Rs 9 lakh by a travel agent couple, Surinderpal Singh and his wife Paramjit Kaur, residents of the Sherpur chowk area.
