Travel agency in Thiruvananthapuram, A woman was allegedly duped by a travel agency owner who promised her a Canadian job visa, according to city police. Based on a complaint from city-based Sivalakshmi, Mujeeb Rahman, a resident of Kowdiar and the owner of Riya Travel Solutions, was arrested by the Medical College police.
Mujeeb allegedly defrauded her of Rs 9.5 lakh by promising her a job visa and family visas for her friend and family. According to the police, he took Rs 4 lakh for the job visa and another Rs 5.5 lakh for family visas.
Their passports were also taken by the accused, but he did not send them abroad or return their money. Mujeeb, according to the police, was a suspect in several similar cases that had been reported to various stations throughout the district.
On the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, the Moga administration sealed the office of a travel agent on Monday after it was discovered that the owner allegedly duped at least 200 applicants (mostly students) by issuing them fake Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) for visas to Canada. Moga police have also filed an FIR against Jasvir Singh, the owner of the English Tree travel agency, for allegedly defrauding the applicants. The company’s license has been revoked by the DC.
Students moving to Canada must apply for GICs online by registering with approved Canadian banks to open bank accounts, according to an immigration expert. They must transfer $10,230 (roughly Rs 5.25 lakh) in Canadian dollars, which includes bank and transfer fees. Students will receive the remaining $10,000 Candian in installments once they arrive in Canada. “GICs are proof of ability to fund one’s expenses in Canada and are required to obtain student visas in particular,” he explained.