Ahmedabad: A local man has fallen victim to a sophisticated visa scam, losing Rs 24.75 lakh to a former colleague and her husband who promised to secure him a hassle-free work permit and visa for the United Kingdom. Local law enforcement officials stated that the victim filed a complaint after the couple failed to deliver the promised travel documents or refund the substantial sum despite multiple demands.
The complainant, identified as Nipam, told investigators that he befriended the primary suspect, Nikita Soni, in 2021 while they were both employed at a private company. Over time, their professional relationship evolved into a personal friendship during which they frequently discussed family matters. Nikita eventually mentioned that her husband, Raj Soni, was living in the United Kingdom and that she was preparing to join him once her own documentation was approved.
According to the police report, Nikita informed Nipam in 2022 that her visa had been successfully processed and she would soon be traveling abroad. She urged him to consider applying as well, assuring him that her husband could facilitate the process. After discussing the prospect with his wife, Nipam began looking into relocating to the UK.
The scheme advanced in 2023 when Nikita visited India briefly and proposed arranging a guaranteed UK work visa for Rs 25 lakh, promising a full refund if the application failed. Following her return to the UK, she reached out again to reaffirm the offer. Unable to pay the entire amount upfront, Nipam arranged to transfer the funds in multiple installments over the course of a year.
The complaint details that Nipam initially sent Rs 1 lakh, followed by subsequent payments amounting to Rs 23.75 lakh over the next twelve months. To maintain the illusion of legitimacy, the victim even participated in a remote interview via a Zoom call and received what appeared to be an official job offer letter from a prominent British health insurance company.
When the promised visa failed to materialize and the accused avoided providing concrete updates, Nipam realized he had been swindled and reported the matter to local authorities. Police have registered an official case against Raj and Nikita Soni under relevant legal provisions concerning cheating and criminal breach of trust.
Investigators are currently reviewing the financial records and bank accounts of the suspects, alongside documents related to the fraudulent job offer. In response to recurring incidents of international travel fraud, authorities have advised residents to exclusively engage authorized immigration consultants and thoroughly verify credentials before transferring funds for visa assistance.