CHANDIGARH, February 19:
Continuing its crackdown on fraudulent immigration consultants exploiting innocent individuals, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Punjab Police, headed by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha has registered five new first information reports (FIRs) against travel agents and arrested two more fraudulent travel agents.
With this development, the total number of FIRs reached to 15, while, arrest count has reached to three. The FIRs were filed against agents who allegedly deceived victims with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into the United States, resulting in their deportation.
The latest FIRs were registered in districts including Tarn Taran, SAS Nagar, Moga, and Sangrur, on February 17 and 18, 2025. The accused agents, operating through unauthorised networks, have been found charging hefty amounts from victims by promising safe and legal immigration routes, but instead have been exposing them to inhumane conditions, detention, and eventual deportation.
The details of FIRs include FIR no. 25 dated 17.02.2025 registered at Police Station Patti in Tarn Taran against an agent, operating from Chandigarh and Yamuna Nagar, fraudulently took ₹44 lakhs from a victim under the pretence of legal immigration to the USA but instead routed him through Nicaragua and Mexico; and FIR no. 19 dated 17.2.2025 registered at Police Station Majri in SAS Nagar against agents Mukul and Gurjinder Antaal, who misled a victim, took ₹45 lakhs, and sent him via Colombia and Mexico.
Similarly, FIR no. 30 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Dharamkot in Moga accused identified as Sukhwinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Pritam Kaur and Gurpreet Singh, including members of Ekam Travels Chandigarh, who lured a victim with a false work permit and direct USA flight, for an amount of 45 lakh rupees. Instead, they sent him via Prague, Spain, and El Salvador.
Remaining two FIRs includes FIR no. 15 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Khanauri in Sangrur against visa and travel company operated by Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh from Haryana, who duped a victim of 50 lakh rupees, by promising a Canada visa but instead sent him through Egypt, Dubai, Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua and FIR no. 95 dated 18/2/2025 registered at Police Station Goindwal Sahib against agent Goldy, operating near IGI Airport, Delhi, deceived a victim into paying ₹45 lakhs for a legal entry into the USA.
As mentioned above, two travel agents identified as Angrej Singh and Jagjit Singh have been arrested by the Sangrur Police. This is in addition to the arrest made by Police Station NRI Patiala a few days ago.
Pertinently, the SIT is actively coordinating with cybercrime units, financial authorities, and central agencies to resolve the identities of the entire network of human traffickers. District Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have intensified investigations, leading to multiple arrests and freezing of bank accounts linked to human trafficking networks.
DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav reiterated that the Punjab Police is fully committed to dismantling these fraudulent immigration syndicates. He urged victims to come forward without fear and assured them of strict legal action against culprits. The public is advised to only consult licensed immigration consultants and verify their credentials before engaging in any overseas travel arrangements.
The Punjab Police continues to seek cooperation from citizens in identifying and reporting unlicensed travel agents who are exploiting vulnerable individuals.
