Panchkula Police Uncover Major New Zealand Visa Fraud Scheme

The Panchkula Police have dismantled a significant immigration fraud operation that falsely promised individuals work visas for New Zealand. This crackdown resulted in the arrest of three suspects, including the alleged mastermind, and the recovery of ₹5 lakh in cash. The operation is a part of a broader initiative to combat fraudulent schemes targeting individuals seeking overseas employment.

Details of the Investigation

The case came to light when a resident of Panchkula reported to Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta that he had been defrauded of ₹15 lakh between May and June 2024. The individual was led to believe that his son would be sent to New Zealand on a work visa. After several months of delays and evasive actions by the accused, the victim sought assistance from the police.

On May 27, 2025, following the complaint, authorities registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420, 406, 120-B, and 201, along with Section 24 of the Immigration Act. The investigation was assigned to the Anti-Immigration Fraud Unit, which began its work promptly.

Police first apprehended a suspect named Neeraj, a resident of the Ambala district, on September 10, 2025. Following his court appearance the next day, he was remanded for four days. Interrogation revealed that he had transferred the stolen funds to another individual believed to be a key conspirator.

Arrests and Continued Investigation

Despite initial efforts to locate the primary suspect, the investigation continued to yield results. On December 9, 2025, police successfully arrested Shailendra Kumar, also known as Shail, in a raid. Kumar, a resident of Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, had been running an unlicensed agency called “The Man Power” in Noida, allegedly defrauding people with false promises of overseas job placements for the past five years. Following his arrest, he was presented in court and remanded to police custody for five days.

Subsequent investigations uncovered that part of the defrauded money had been transferred to an accomplice identified as Saddam Hussain Ansari. Further raids in West Bengal led to Ansari’s arrest on December 12, 2025. He was also produced in court and remanded, with police recovering ₹5 lakh in cash from his possession during the operation.

Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with additional suspects likely to be identified and arrested in the near future. The Panchkula Police are actively urging the public to remain vigilant against unauthorized agents or firms promising overseas opportunities. They encourage individuals to report any suspicious activities immediately.

“The Panchkula Police are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against networks that exploit young people in the name of overseas employment. Protecting the hard-earned money and futures of our youth is paramount,” stated ADGP Sibash Kabiraj, Police Commissioner of Panchkula and Chairman of Illegal Migration Matters in Haryana. “We will continue to intensify our actions against such fraudulent gangs.”