Delhi airport police have arrested a man identified as Sandeep, a resident of Kurukshetra district in Haryana, who was found attempting to travel with a fake Swedish visa. The arrest occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi during a routine document verification process at the visa counter.
Sandeep had intended to travel to Rome, seeking better economic opportunities. However, his attempt was thwarted when airport officials discovered that his Swedish visa was counterfeit. Following his arrest, Sandeep was brought into custody, and an FIR was registered under the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita.
During interrogation, Sandeep revealed that he had paid Rs 10 lakh to a travel agent named Asif Ali. Sandeep explained that he had been influenced by peers from his village who had successfully gone abroad to improve their livelihoods. This led him to pursue similar opportunities.
Sandeep was introduced to Asif Ali through a villager named Manjot. The agent promised to facilitate travel to any European country for a fee. Sandeep made a payment of Rs 7 lakh through two different bank accounts provided by Ali and paid an additional Rs 3 lakh in cash. The agent, with the aid of his associates, arranged a fake Swedish visa and flight tickets for Sandeep’s intended journey to Rome.
Based on Sandeep’s disclosures, the Delhi Police apprehended Asif Ali. During questioning, Asif confessed to his involvement in the fraudulent scheme. He admitted to having studied only up to Class 12 and working as a travel agent with the intent of making quick money. Asif and his associates were found to be involved in deceiving individuals by promising them overseas travel and job opportunities.
The Delhi Police are now investigating the case further to identify any other agents involved in similar fraudulent activities. They are scrutinising the accused’s bank accounts and looking into potential links to other illegal operations.
In light of this case, the Delhi Police have issued warnings to travelers to obtain their travel documents solely through authorised agencies. They cautioned against fraudulent agents who offer unusually low rates for overseas travel, urging people to verify the legitimacy of travel agencies and thoroughly check all travel documents to avoid legal complications and disruptions.
The police emphasized the importance of using reputable sources for obtaining visas and other travel-related documents to prevent falling victim to similar frauds.
Sandeep’s arrest highlights the ongoing issue of visa fraud and the need for vigilance when dealing with travel agents. The investigation into Asif Ali’s operations underscores the broader problem of fraudulent practices in the travel industry, with authorities working to uncover and address these illegal activities.
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