How desperation for a better life abroad is fuelling immigration scams in India | Technology News

This isn’t an isolated case. While Bedi was targeted in the US, immigration scams are rampant back home. According to Tushar Sharma, cyber expert and co-founder of The Organisation For Enlightenment and Education (TOFEE), the first case of immigration scam was reported in the early 90s in Punjab. 

“The agents from illegal immigration and human trafficking networks activated and started luring people from Punjab with fake promises of work or permanent residency in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries,” Sharma said, adding that victims were charged excessive fees and sent fake visas and documents. These victims were later detained at foreign airports.

“In the late 90s and early 2000s, these scams evolved into more sophisticated frauds involving visa lotteries, fake marriages, study abroad, fake universities, fake job offers,” Sharma said. 

“We have seen a significant increase in online immigration-related scams, particularly targeting student visa applicants. The most common forms include fake agents promising guaranteed admissions or visas, fraudulent job offers linked to visa sponsorships, and counterfeit websites that mimic official government portals or educational institutions,” said Dheeraj Gandhi, founder and CEO of The Immigration Gurus.

Gandhi also said, “Many scams are easy to spot if you look closely: no clear business name, poor communication, pressure to pay upfront without proper paperwork, and fake promises like guaranteed visas.”

How scammers pick potential victims

Tushar said scammers use social, economic, and psychological tricks to exploit people aspiring to go study or work abroad. They find their targets via:

🎯Social media profiling: Scammers scrape platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to find people posting about studying or settling abroad. They then use targeted ads to lure aspirants, posing as successful migrants offering fake help.

🎯Regional networks: In migration hotspots like Punjab, scammers often win trust by using local networks and word of mouth, sometimes even through unassuming friends or relatives.

🎯Fake job or university listings: Scammers lure young aspirants by posting fake listings and even creating fake universities.

🎯Cold calls and phishing emails: Cold calling and unsolicited emails, such as phishing emails and job and visa alerts, are the most common tricks.

🎯Psychological manipulation: Scammers exploit people’s hopes, emergencies, and vulnerabilities, especially those already abroad on temporary visas, by promising quick fixes to their immigration status. 

Professor Triveni Singh, former IPS officer and cybercrime expert, listed different types of immigration scams: 

🎯Fake job offers: Scammers lure victims by promising overseas jobs along with immigration, collecting separate fees for each. These jobs rarely exist. Victims pay lakhs, only to be ghosted.

🎯Identity theft and document fraud: Fake identities are created by manipulating biometric data or using someone else’s details to issue new Aadhaar cards and passports.

🎯KYC fraud: Fraudulent Know Your Customer (KYC) documents are used to secure visas.

🎯Airport loopholes: Although facial biometrics are captured at airports, there’s no real-time cross-check with Aadhaar’s UIDAI system. This lets people pass through immigration using genuine passports but with altered photos or fake identities.

🎯Easy entry to false documents: In rural areas, even a village head’s stamp or a family register is enough to secure an Aadhaar card, leading to a full set of forged identity papers.

🎯Human trafficking and forced labour: Some victims are tricked into believing they are going abroad for work but are instead sent to illegal labour camps or sold into slavery.

🎯Trapped in crime: Others are lured abroad under the pretense of legitimate employment, only to be forced into drug trafficking, theft, or cybercrime.

🎯Marriage scams: Here, individuals are promised long-term visas, but only if they first reach the destination country. Once there, they are coerced into fake court marriages and made to sign fabricated documents. Many end up exploited or abandoned.

🎯Smuggling: In some cases, victims are smuggled abroad under false identities and later used as carriers for illegal goods.

🎯Fake notices and emails: Victims receive emails or phone calls that mimic real immigration notices, sometimes even impersonating agencies like the FBI or US Secret Service. These threats often cite deportation or visa issues to scare people into paying money.

Red flags to look out for

Sharma and Professor Singh recommend staying alert to these warning signs:

🎯Unrealistic promises: If someone guarantees a visa, citizenship, or legal status quickly, it’s likely a scam. No legitimate immigration process can promise guaranteed approval.

🎯Pressure tactics and urgency: Scammers often try to rush you, saying “you’ll miss the opportunity” or “act now or lose everything.” Legitimate professionals don’t pressure you into decisions or threaten consequences.

🎯Pretending to be officials: Fraudsters may pose as immigration officers or lawyers without showing proper ID or credentials. Ask for ID and verify it independently before trusting them.

🎯Shady payment requests: If someone asks for payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, UPI to personal accounts, or cash, it’s a red flag. Real agencies use traceable methods like credit/debit cards, bank transfers, or cheques.

🎯Offers that feel “too perfect”: If someone offers a job abroad without interviews, or a visa without paperwork, pause and verify. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What you can do instead

🎯Visit in person: If you are dealing with an agent or consultant, go to their physical office and see how they operate.

🎯Reach out to official sources: Before making any payment or travel plans, contact:

– Indian Embassy in the destination country

– India’s Immigration Department

– Ministry of External Affairs: Most embassies respond quickly via email or phone.

🎯Stop communication when in doubt: If you notice any of the above red flags, end the conversation immediately. Report and verify the matter through government websites or helplines.

🎯What to do if you are scammed

Victims or their families usually approach the police or Indian embassies after they’ve been defrauded or trafficked. In many rescue cases, Indian police work with foreign embassies to help bring victims back home.

– Contact your bank and freeze accounts to stop unauthorised transactions.
–  File a police complaint immediately.
–  Reach out to Indian embassies abroad: They coordinate with local authorities for victim rescue.
– Consult a licensed immigration lawyer: Legal guidance is critical in damage control.
– Use other reporting options, like the Ministry of External Affairs Complaint Portal: https://www.mea.gov.in/lodge-complaint.htm
– Report scam messages or calls within 30 days on the Chakshu portal
– Verify the authenticity of agents or offers on the National Portal of India: https://www.india.gov.in

Taking quick, informed steps can protect your finances, your identity, and your chance at justice. Immigration dreams are powerful, but scammers know that too. Staying informed is the first step in staying safe.

The Safe Side:

As the world evolves, the digital landscape does too, bringing new opportunities—and new risks. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting vulnerabilities to their advantage. In our special feature series, we delve into the latest cybercrime trends and provide practical tips to help you stay informed, secure, and vigilant online.