Chandigarh: The concerted efforts of Haryana police to dismantle the network of fake travel agents in the state are bearing results. As part of this statewide drive, a helpline number – 8053003400 – has been released to facilitate prompt response to the victims’ complaints.
Official data showed that 650 cases were registered by the police across the state by the end of October 2023. This number came down to 578 cases by the end of October 2024.
A comparative analysis of the data shared by the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur showed that 658 cases were registered in the last 6 years in Karnal district which is the highest number in the state.
Total 750 cases of illegal immigration involving fake travel agents were registered in the entire state by the end of December 2023. The majority of these cases were from Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Panipat districts.
To expedite action on such cases, an SIT was formed in April 2023. Since then, total 1014 accused have been arrested in 1245 registered cases.
Looking at the figures over the past 6 years, total 2606 cases related to fake travel agents and illegal immigration had been registered. Besides, the highest 658 cases in Karnal district, Kurukshetra recorded 574 cases, Ambala 457, Kaithal 256, Yamunanagar 217, and Panipat 106 cases during this period.
Breaking up this statewide 6-year data showed that in 2019, 213 cases were registered, followed by 582 in 2020, 183 in 2021, 300 in 2022, 750 in 2023, and 578 by the end of October 2024.
Strategy:
Besides releasing a helpline number, an officer of the DSP rank has been designated as the nodal officer in each district. Simultaneously, senior police officers, including Superintendents of Police, have been issued directives to tighten the noose on travel agents. Superintendents of Police have been instructed to monitor, according to the SOP prescribed for fraud related to illegal immigration, the number of complaints received, FIRs registered, criminals apprehended, and the amount of recovery from criminals.
The DGP has also emphasized the need to enhance the investigation level in such cases. The new law also includes a provision to attach the house, shop, and other property of fraudulent travel agents who engage in illegal immigration activities. Furthermore, the draft of The Haryana Registration and Regulation of the Travel Agencies Act -2024 has been prepared.
Modus Operandi:
Travel agents entice unemployed individuals with promises of jobs and send them abroad on education visas and work visas. Often, after the individual pays the money and applies for a visa, they are informed that their visa has been rejected. The travel agent then suggests the “donkey route.” During this process, most individuals are apprehended at the border, imprisoned, and deported back to India. In some cases, victims are illegally held captive, and their families are pressured to pay more money.
Additionally, travel agents may provide fake tickets and fake visas, leading to the individual being denied air travel. Sometimes, individuals are misled by fake job offers and official-looking documents presented through emails, etc. Moreover, agents may send individuals to countries like Russia and Ukraine by claiming that they will obtain a visa for another country.
Illegal Immigration:
Often, innocent and unemployed youth are trapped in the web of illegal immigration in the name of getting jobs abroad. The number of such cases is relatively high in Punjab and Haryana. In Haryana, there has been an increase in cases of illegal immigration every year in the last 6 years, which is a matter of concern. The number of people from rural areas involved in such cases is relatively high. However, due to the strict action taken by the Haryana Police, a decrease in such cases is being seen in 2024.
DGP’s Appeal:
DGP Kapur has asked people to be wary of such fraudulent travel agents and should not trust any travel agent without investigation. To help common people, a list of authorized and unauthorized travel agents has been uploaded on the Haryana Police website https://haryanapolice.gov.in/login.
In addition, if a person still becomes a victim of such fraud, they should immediately inform the nearest police station or helpline number 8053003400. Even a little negligence on part of the person cannot only wipe out life’s savings but also makes lives of their families insecure. Therefore, people should take necessary precautions in this regard.
