Panaji: The number of crimes committed by foreigners in Goa is more than six times the number of offences committed against them in the 2022-2024 period.Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that from 2022 to 2024, Goa police registered 251 cases involving foreigners—of these, 206 were committed by them and in 45 cases, they were the victims.Cases in which foreigners have been booked or arrested across the country include attempt to murder, rape, rioting, assault on public servants, cheating, offences under the Foreigners Act, immoral trafficking, possession and peddling of narcotics, and theft.In Goa, cases were registered against citizens of Nigeria, Russia, Nepal, Tanzania, Bulgaria, Portugal, Uganda, Bangladesh, Liberia, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Bangladesh. Their offences include attempt to murder, rape, rioting, assault on public servants, cheating, violation of the Foreigners Act, immoral trafficking, narcotics, and theft.With the increasing number of crimes by foreigners, Goa police have established a detention centre at Mapusa. Police said that people found to be involved in illegal activities or overstaying are lodged in the detention centre, and the FRRO starts their deportation process.Police said that in some cases, deportation takes a long time due to verification of documents.Police investigations in narcotic cases against foreign nationals have revealed that foreigners without valid travel documents have been getting involved in illegal activities to continue their stay in Goa.A senior Goa police officer said that the law applies equally to all, including international tourists, and that police take lawful action against all persons involved in crimes.Goa police said that various steps have been taken by govt as preventive measures to ensure that foreigners do not use Goa as a crime haven, including checking of their travel at airports by the immigration unit.“Watch is kept on travel documents of the visitors upon furnishing ‘C’ forms through FRRO, Panaji. Beat officers/staff maintain a vigil in their respective jurisdiction. Necessary action will be initiated if any violations or offences are committed by the foreigners,” Goa police said.Over the past three and a half months, FRRO-Goa has deported 18 foreigners, including six Bangladeshi nationals.In 2025, FRRO-Goa deported 120 foreign nationals, including 29 Bangladeshi nationals, for overstaying.FRRO-Goa deported an Australian national on April 10 and two Russian nationals on April 12 this year, following sustained legal and administrative efforts. The Australian national was overstaying in India since Aug 2020. The two Russians were overstaying since Jan 2021 and July 2025 respectively. The operation was carried out through sustained field efforts.
