US deportees: Punjab Police’s SIT registers two more FIRs against travel agents
The Punjab Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has registered two more FIRs against travel agents accused of deceiving victims with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into the United States (US). This brings the total number of FIRs to ten.
The latest FIRs were filed against agents who allegedly cheated victims, resulting in their deportation. The accused include Jaskaran Singh, Mahinder Singh, Hardev Kaur, and Sujan Singh, all residents of Tahli in Tanda, district Hoshiarpur. Another FIR was registered against travel agent Happy of Tanda in Hoshiarpur and agent Gill of Tarn Taran under relevant sections of the BNS and Emigration Act at the NRI Police Station Hoshiarpur.
The SIT, headed by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha, has been investigating complaints from deportees who were defrauded by travel agents. The team has recorded statements of deportees and registered FIRs against fraudulent travel agents.
DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav urged citizens to come forward with information to help arrest the culprits. He emphasised the importance of public cooperation in dismantling these fraudulent networks.
ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha stated that the NRI Affairs Wing and district police are working together to ensure swift action against those named in the FIRs. The police aim to cripple and demolish the entire network.
Last year, the Punjab Police’s NRI Affairs Wing and Cyber Crime Wing booked 43 travel agencies for illegally advertising jobs abroad on social media without requisite licenses. The police advise individuals seeking immigration services to only use the legal route, opt for licensed agents, and verify their credentials before making any commitments.
