Punjab Police intensifies crackdown on fraudulent immigration agents

The Punjab Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha, has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent immigration consultants preying on innocent individuals. As part of this effort, the SIT has registered five new FIRs and arrested two more travel agents involved in illegal immigration scams.

With these recent developments, the total number of FIRs has now reached 15, while the number of arrests has risen to three. The accused agents allegedly lured victims with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into the United States, only for them to be detained and deported.

The latest FIRs were filed on February 17 and 18, 2025, in districts including Tarn Taran, SAS Nagar, Moga, and Sangrur.

Investigations have revealed that these agents, operating through unauthorized networks, charged large sums of money under the pretense of legal immigration but instead subjected their victims to dangerous routes, inhumane conditions, and eventual deportation.

One such case involves FIR no. 25, registered at Police Station Patti in Tarn Taran. A travel agent operating from Chandigarh and Yamuna Nagar allegedly took ₹44 lakhs from a victim for legal immigration to the USA but instead routed him through Nicaragua and Mexico. Similarly, FIR no. 19, registered at Police Station Majri in SAS Nagar, was filed against agents Mukul and Gurjinder Antaal, who deceived a victim, collected ₹45 lakhs, and sent him via Colombia and Mexico.

In another instance, FIR no. 30, registered at Police Station Dharamkot in Moga, names accused Sukhwinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Pritam Kaur, and Gurpreet Singh, along with members of Ekam Travels Chandigarh. They allegedly promised a direct work permit and flight to the USA for ₹45 lakhs but instead sent the victim via Prague, Spain, and El Salvador.

Two additional cases include FIR no. 15, filed at Police Station Khanauri in Sangrur against Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh, operators of a visa and travel company in Haryana. They reportedly duped a victim of ₹50 lakhs by falsely promising a Canada visa but instead routed him through Egypt, Dubai, Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Similarly, FIR no. 95, registered at Police Station Goindwal Sahib, was lodged against an agent named Goldy, operating near IGI Airport in Delhi, who took ₹45 lakhs from a victim for a legal USA entry but failed to deliver.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, Sangrur Police has arrested Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh, adding to an earlier arrest by Police Station NRI Patiala.

The SIT is actively collaborating with cybercrime units, financial authorities, and central agencies to uncover the full network of human traffickers. Law enforcement agencies, including District Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs), have intensified their investigations, leading to multiple arrests and the freezing of bank accounts linked to these illegal operations.

DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav reaffirmed the Punjab Police’s unwavering commitment to dismantling these fraudulent immigration rackets. He urged victims to come forward without fear and assured them that strict legal action would be taken against the perpetrators. “The public is advised to only consult licensed immigration consultants and verify their credentials before engaging in any overseas travel arrangements,” he stated.

Punjab Police continues to seek public cooperation in identifying and reporting unlicensed travel agents who exploit vulnerable individuals, ensuring justice for those affected by these fraudulent schemes.