Australian mission warns of big visa scam in Delhi
SW Delhi agency has duped over 50 people
New Delhi: The Australian high commission on Monday warned Indians of a visa scam in Delhi wherein over 50 people had been duped of lakhs of rupees. “The public is warned of a new visa scam allegedly perpetrated by an employment agency operating in southwest Delhi. In recent weeks, more than 50 people have approached the high commission after paying lakhs for work visas, only to be told that they have become victims of yet another visa scam,” the high commission said.
The Australian high commission on Monday sounded an alarm over an alleged visa scam in New Delhi wherein an employment agency in Southwest Delhi has allegedly already duped more than 50 people of lakhs of rupees after promising a work visa. Such was the scale and planning of the alleged fraud that “the victims have also had to pay to undergo a medical examination in a medical facility also located in South Delhi” besides paying another ` 50,000 each for a “non- existent airfare”.
In a statement from New Delhi, Canberra said, “The Australian high commission is warning the public of a new visa scam allegedly perpetrated by an employment agency operating in Southwest Delhi. In recent weeks, more than 50 people have approached the high commission after paying lakhs for a work visa, only to be informed that they have become a victim of yet another visa scam. The Australian high commission is concerned about the growing number of victims and advises any potential visa applicants to exercise caution when visa agencies offer jobs.”
“We have seen clones of our website before but the newest versions link to a fake visa checking site that only contains the visa details concocted by the agent. This may look convincing to someone who is wanting proof the agent is not duping them – but actually, it is still all fake,” the Australian High Commission further said, adding, “The South West Delhi agency has also provided victims with a fake visa grant notice.”
The Australian high commission spokesperson said, “Australia does not have a work visa programme of the sort being promoted by the scammers.”