Kerala police warn against rising visa fraud incidents

Police in Kerala are alerting the public about a rise in visa fraud cases. Many people have been tricked out of large sums of money. The Ernakulam Rural District Police said they get many complaints each day from victims of these scams. Fraudsters are claiming to offer jobs in countries like Europe, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. They often attract victims through false advertisements on social media. These ads promise high-paying jobs and suggest that many others have already found success through their services. Scammers use convincing tactics to persuade people to pay large amounts for registration, processing fees, and visas. Victims usually never meet the fraudsters in person. They only realize they have been cheated when the scammers stop responding after receiving their money. Some of the fraudsters operate from abroad and use accounts of locals in Kerala to promote their schemes. The local contacts may be promised a commission, but the bank details they provide belong to the fraudsters. Once the victim makes a payment, the scammer disappears, while the local contact claims to be helpless. In some cases, victims are taken overseas but do not receive the promised jobs. Last year, 172 cases of visa fraud were reported in the Ernakulam rural district. Already this year, 21 FIRs have been filed. The police advise the public to pursue job offers abroad only through authorized institutions and to be wary of scams that ask for money upfront.