Delhi Police Cracks Down on Over 100 Fraudulent Travel Agents

The Delhi Police has arrested over 100 fraudulent travel agents this year, marking a more than 200% increase compared to the same period last year. The arrested agents, from multiple states, were involved in various illegal activities including fake visas, identity fraud, and counterfeit travel documents.

The Delhi Police has arrested more than 100 fraudulent travel agents who allegedly sent passengers abroad through various illegal methods, officials reported on Thursday.

This marks a striking 200% increase compared to the same period the previous year, according to officials. The suspects hailed from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.

As per a statement from the IGI Airport, 51 fraudulent agents were apprehended during the same period in 2023.

'We have arrested a total of 108 such agents nationwide, shifting our focus toward holding agents accountable rather than solely targeting passengers who may unwittingly fall victim to illegal immigration schemes seeking better opportunities abroad,' stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangnani.

Rangnani also noted that around 75 Look Out Circulars (LOCs) have been issued for agents who have fled abroad or remain untraceable, ensuring their capture upon arrival or departure from India.

Elaborating on their modus operandi, she explained that agents provide counterfeit visas that closely resemble genuine ones. However, even if passengers manage to bypass Indian authorities, they are often intercepted at the destination countries' immigration checks.

'In the first six months of this year, we have arrested 19 agents involved in fake visa scams and 11 in illegal border-crossing schemes,' she added. 'We also detained 24 agents who arranged passports for individuals with similar facial features.'

Rangnani shared an example of a 24-year-old man disguised as a 67-year-old, facilitated by an agent for travel. Furthermore, two agents were arrested for fabricating Seaman Books, and several others were detained for producing fake Indian passports and tampering with travel documentation.

(With inputs from agencies.)