Punjab’s rural police have booked three individuals—including a father-son duo—for allegedly duping a local youth of ₹25.85 lakh on the promise of an Australian visa that never materialised. The FIR, registered just after midnight on 27 February, details how the accused collected money in instalments, issued forged receipts and later intimidated the victim when he sought a refund. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Investigators say the gang advertised “work-permit packages” on social media and through village agents, exploiting high demand among dairy-industry workers hoping to migrate Down Under. Passports were never submitted to any embassy; instead, applicants received fabricated tracking numbers. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
For prospective travellers looking to avoid such pitfalls, VisaHQ offers a secure, end-to-end application service with transparent pricing and real-time status updates for visas to Australia and dozens of other countries, eliminating the need for unverified middlemen. More details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/india/
![Ludhiana police bust ₹25-lakh visa scam targeting Australia-bound youth]()
The case underscores a broader pattern: Punjab Police data show visa-related cheating cases jumped 23 % in 2025 despite tougher state legislation requiring consultants to register. Yet only a fraction result in convictions, mainly because victims fear being branded illegal migrants overseas. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Legal experts advise corporates that sponsor overseas assignments to vet third-party agents rigorously; employees falling for scams can erode project timelines and employer reputation. Australia’s High Commission in New Delhi reiterates that no agent can guarantee approvals and encourages applicants to verify representative credentials on its official website. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Police have frozen two bank accounts linked to the accused and are probing similar complaints from neighbouring districts. The incident fuels calls for a central licensing regime for migration agents across India.
Investigators say the gang advertised “work-permit packages” on social media and through village agents, exploiting high demand among dairy-industry workers hoping to migrate Down Under. Passports were never submitted to any embassy; instead, applicants received fabricated tracking numbers. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
For prospective travellers looking to avoid such pitfalls, VisaHQ offers a secure, end-to-end application service with transparent pricing and real-time status updates for visas to Australia and dozens of other countries, eliminating the need for unverified middlemen. More details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/india/
The case underscores a broader pattern: Punjab Police data show visa-related cheating cases jumped 23 % in 2025 despite tougher state legislation requiring consultants to register. Yet only a fraction result in convictions, mainly because victims fear being branded illegal migrants overseas. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Legal experts advise corporates that sponsor overseas assignments to vet third-party agents rigorously; employees falling for scams can erode project timelines and employer reputation. Australia’s High Commission in New Delhi reiterates that no agent can guarantee approvals and encourages applicants to verify representative credentials on its official website. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Police have frozen two bank accounts linked to the accused and are probing similar complaints from neighbouring districts. The incident fuels calls for a central licensing regime for migration agents across India.
