Surat: A 27-year-old woman was allegedly duped of Rs 21.17 lakh in a UK job and visa scam after paying Rs 41.52 lakh to three accused, who provided her with a fake appointment letter. Though the accused later returned Rs 20.36 lakh, they failed to refund the remaining amount, leading her to lodge a complaint with Utran police.According to the complaint, Dharmishta Sutariya (27) aspired to travel abroad on a work visa. A relative told her that his friend, Anil Dhori, could facilitate the process as his son, Dhruv, was based in the UK. Sutariya was subsequently put in touch with Dhruv, who assured her that he would complete the visa and job formalities at an estimated cost of Rs 40– Rs 50 lakh. He also informed her that his UK-based associate, Dhruv Shah, would assist in the process.Following their instructions, Sutariya and her husband prepared the necessary documents and submitted the file to Anil. She paid Rs 33.62 lakh in instalments to Anil and transferred the remaining amount to Dhruv Dhori and Dhruv Shah in the UK through her relative. Anil issued a written acknowledgment stating that he had received Rs 41.52 lakh towards securing a UK job and visa.A few days later, Anil handed over an appointment letter purportedly issued by a UK firm. However, when Sutariya verified the document on the official UK portal, she discovered that it was fake. Upon confronting the accused and threatening legal action, they refunded Rs 20.36 lakh but did not return the remaining Rs 21.15 lakh.Based on her complaint, Utran police have registered a case of cheating against all three accused and initiated an investigation.
