Bathinda: Fresh complaints are surfacing in the alleged Australian student visa scam, with nearly 30 students approaching the Barnala police claiming they were defrauded. The TOI on Friday highlighted a Ludhiana-based immigration firm in the centre of the alleged immigration fraud. The complainants include students whose visas were cancelled, those served notices over fraudulent documents used to obtain visas, and others who have either been deported from Australia or face imminent deportation.According to the sources, though only 30 students have come out in the open, the arrested immigration firm co-owner has confessed to have prepared files of nearly 200 students who got Australian visas.On July 15, Barnala police registered a case against Gurbaz Singh and his brother Harsimranjit Singh, co-owners of Ludhiana-based immigration firm Smart Study Immigration, for allegedly using forged bank documents to secure Australian student visas for a large number of students. Gurbaz Singh was arrested on July 16 night and produced before a Barnala court on July 17. The court sent him to seven-day police custody. Police investigations have found that Smart Study Immigration allegedly failed to maintain mandatory records of students sent abroad on study visas, in violation of the district magistrate’s orders. During raids, investigators seized two registers — a ‘kacha’ and a ‘pucca’ register. While the ‘kacha’ register contained detailed records, the ‘pucca’ register listed only students’ names and file numbers.The investigation revealed that for “Level-2” Australian visa applications, applicants must show proof of funds worth Rs 30–35 lakh held for at least three months. Without the knowledge of the students or the referring agent, the accused fabricated and submitted fake bank documents to secure the visas. It has been found that the accused colluded with chartered accountants and bank officials to forge these financial records and secure college confirmations of enrolment.The fraud came to light following a complaint by Harvinder Singh, manager of One Globe Immigration, Bhikhi, Mansa, who referred 40 to 45 students to the accused for visa processing. The police are looking for more such small immigration firms who might have referred students to Smart Study Immigration for commission.Barnala SSP Md Sarfaraz Alam said, “Nearly 30 students have approached the police with complaints of fraud committed with them. The investigation is actively progressing to uncover the details of the fraud, mainly pertaining to use of fake bank fund documents, and trace the money trail.” MSID:: 132481344 413 |
