Immigration Agent Sentenced to Three Years for Rs 19 Lakh Visa Fraud in Mohali
Immigration agent gets 3 years of rigorous imprisonment in Rs 19-L visa fraud case
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Chhavi Sharma, an immigration agent from Chandigarh, India, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for defrauding a client of ₹19 lakh (approximately $23,000 USD) in a visa scam. The court found her guilty of cheating and unauthorized immigration activities but acquitted her of forgery and conspiracy charges.
- 01Chhavi Sharma was convicted for defrauding a client of ₹19 lakh.
- 02She was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
- 03The court imposed a fine of ₹1.02 lakh as compensation.
- 04The fraud involved promises of securing an Australian study visa.
- 05The complainant discovered the offer letter was fake after a year.
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A local court in Mohali, Punjab, India, has sentenced Chhavi Sharma, an immigration agent, to three years of rigorous imprisonment for her role in a visa fraud case involving ₹19 lakh (approximately $23,000 USD). The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Anish Goyal found Sharma guilty under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for cheating and under Section 24 of the Immigration Act. The case stemmed from a complaint filed on January 18, 2024, after Sharma promised to secure an Australian study visa for the complainant's daughter within 90 days, collecting the money in installments. However, the visa was never processed, and the complainant later discovered that the university's offer letter was fake. The court noted that while financial transactions and elements of cheating were established, the complainant failed to verify the authenticity of the offer letter independently. Although Sharma was acquitted of forgery and conspiracy charges, she was held accountable for cheating and unauthorized immigration activities.
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This case highlights the risks associated with immigration fraud, impacting potential students and their families seeking opportunities abroad.
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