Ahmedabad Entrepreneur Duped of ₹10.49 Lakh in UK Work Visa Racket

Ahmedabad Police have registered a case against the owner of an immigration consultancy firm for allegedly cheating a local entrepreneur of ₹10.49 lakh by promising to arrange a United Kingdom work permit.

The accused, identified as Dhaval Jagdishbhai Parmar, who operated Stanmore Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. in Jagatpur’s Godrej Garden City area, allegedly collected money from the complainant over several months but failed to provide the promised visa or return the funds.

Police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and have started an investigation into the alleged fraud.

Victim Allegedly Approached for UK Employment Opportunity

According to the complaint, 34-year-old Ankit Sureshbhai Panchal, an entrepreneur from Ghatlodia who runs an engineering unit, was introduced to Parmar through a family contact in early 2024.

During a meeting in April 2024, Parmar allegedly claimed that he could arrange a UK work permit within 10 to 15 days after receiving the required documents.

The accused initially quoted a fee of ₹22.50 lakh for the visa process but later reduced the amount to ₹18 lakh after discussions about the family’s financial situation. He allegedly assured Panchal that the money would be refunded if the application was unsuccessful.

Trusting these claims, Panchal reportedly shared personal documents, including his passport, educational certificates, IELTS score details, and caregiving certification. He selected a care worker employment option in London from the opportunities presented by the consultancy.

Multiple Payments Made Before Consultancy Allegedly Shut Down

Between April 2024 and April 2025, Panchal allegedly paid ₹10.49 lakh through digital transactions, IMPS transfers, and cheques.

The complainant told police that whenever he requested official documents, application updates, or confirmation from a UK employer, Parmar allegedly delayed responses and claimed that the process was still underway while asking for additional payments.

The situation changed when the accused allegedly stopped responding to calls and the consultancy office was closed.

Police Begin Investigation Into Financial Trail

After failing to receive the visa or a refund, Panchal approached police and submitted payment records, bank statements, and electronic communications as evidence.

Investigators are now examining the accused’s financial transactions and business records to trace the movement of funds. Authorities are also looking into whether other job seekers may have been targeted through similar overseas employment promises.

Authorities Warn Against Unverified Immigration Services

Police and cybersecurity experts frequently advise individuals seeking overseas employment to verify immigration consultants before making payments.

Applicants should confirm whether agencies are legally registered, avoid paying large amounts without official documentation, and independently verify job offers through authorized government or employer channels.