Palanpur: A fresh visa fraud case has surfaced in Himmatnagar, with police investigating allegations that a consultant collected crores of rupees from dozens of aspiring migrants by promising Canadian work permits, where application files allegedly never existed.Investigators suspect the value of the scam could be much bigger than initially reported.Preeti Vyas, who ran an ‘institute’ in Himmatnagar has been accused of cheating multiple people by promising Canadian work visas and work permits. She is absconding.Police said fraud worth Rs 1.37 crore has surfaced so far, with one complainant alone alleging a loss of Rs 23 lakh.Investigators suspect the scale of the fraud could be significantly higher, with estimates suggesting the amount involved may range between Rs 15 crore and Rs 20 crore.The complainant, Priyamsinh Sisodia, approached Himmatnagar police and provided details of the alleged modus operandi along with supporting documents.According to Sisodia, Vyas operated through an establishment known as Preeti Institute and allegedly promised Canadian work permit visas to clients, charging as much as Rs 25 lakh per applicant.Preliminary inquiries indicate Vyas may have collected money from as many as 77 people.The fraud came to light when applicants sought updates on their visa applications and discovered that no files had been processed despite payments having been made.Investigators are examining allegations that documents were prepared and money collected in the name of visa processing, while no corresponding applications were submitted.Based on statements of victims, police suspect that between Rs 15 crore and Rs 20 crore may have been collected from 77 applicants.The case has renewed concerns over overseas employment and immigration fraud in the region. Himmatnagar had witnessed a large-scale visa racket investigation about six months ago.
