Chandigarh, December 6, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Haryana Police has implemented a robust strategy to break the network of fake travel agents who deceive people by promising them foreign trips. By the end of October 2023, Haryana Police had registered 650 cases in the state, while by the end of October 2024, 578 cases were registered.
This data indicates a significant increase in public awareness regarding the dangers of illegal immigration. Haryana Police has also launched a helpline number – 8053003400 – to promptly address complaints related to illegal immigration, ensuring people don’t fall victim to fraudulent travel agents.
Comparative Analysis: Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur shared that by the end of December 2023, 750 cases of illegal immigration were registered.
The majority of these cases in Haryana originated from Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal, Yamunanagar, and Panipat districts.
To expedite action on such cases, an SIT was formed in April 2023. Looking at the figures over the past 6 years, a total of 2606 cases related to fake travel agents and illegal immigration have been registered in Haryana.
In 2019, 213 cases were registered, followed by 582 in 2020, 183 in 2021, 300 in 2022, 750 in 2023, and 578 by the end of October 2024. Karnal district has recorded the highest number of cases with 658 in the last 6 years. During this period, Kurukshetra saw 574 cases, Ambala 457, Kaithal 256, Yamunanagar 217, and Panipat 106 cases.
Effective Strategy, Excellent Results: Recognizing the gravity of these cases, a helpline number – 8053003400 – has been established, and an officer of the DSP rank has been designated as the nodal officer in each district.
Simultaneously, senior police officers, including Superintendents of Police, have been issued directives to tighten the noose on travel agents.
Superintendents of Police have been instructed to monitor, according to the SOP prescribed for fraud related to illegal immigration, the number of complaints received, FIRs registered, criminals apprehended, and the amount of recovery from criminals.
He has also emphasized the need to enhance the investigation level in such cases. The new law also includes a provision to attach the house, shop, and other property of fraudulent travel agents who engage in illegal immigration activities.
Furthermore, the draft of The Haryana Registration and Regulation of the Travel Agencies Act-2024 and The Haryana Registration and Regulation of the Travel Agencies Rules-2024 has been prepared.
This Act has been approved by the Haryana Government and the Haryana Legislative Assembly.
Haryana Police is taking prompt action on complaints and cases received against travel agents. He informed that in the last 18 months (April 2023 to October 31, 2024) after the formation of the SIT, 1014 accused have been arrested in 1245 registered cases related to illegal immigration in the state.
Modus Operandi:
Travel agents entice unemployed individuals with promises of jobs and send them abroad on education visas and work visas. Often, after the individual pays the money and applies for a visa, they are informed that their visa has been rejected.
The travel agent then suggests the “donkey route.” During this process, most individuals are apprehended at the border, imprisoned, and deported back to India. In some cases, victims are illegally held captive, and their families are pressured to pay more money.
Additionally, travel agents may provide fake tickets and fake visas, leading to the individual being denied air travel. Sometimes, individuals are misled by fake job offers and official-looking documents presented through emails, etc. Moreover, agents may send individuals to countries like Russia and Ukraine by claiming that they will obtain a visa for another country.
What is Illegal Immigration?
When a person, in violation of immigration laws, leaves their country of origin and goes to reside in another country, it is called illegal immigration. This is a sensitive and important issue. Often, innocent and unemployed youth are trapped in the web of illegal immigration in the name of getting jobs abroad.
The number of such cases is relatively high in Punjab and Haryana. In Haryana, there has been an increase in cases of illegal immigration every year in the last 6 years, which is a matter of concern. The number of people from rural areas involved in such cases is relatively high. However, due to the strict action taken by the Haryana Police, a decrease in such cases is being seen in 2024.
DGP’s Appeal
Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said that people should be wary of such fraudulent travel agents and should not trust any travel agent without investigation. He said that for the convenience of the common people, a list of authorized and unauthorized travel agents has been uploaded on the Haryana Police website – https://haryanapolice.gov.in/login.
In addition, if a person still becomes a victim of such fraud, they should immediately inform the nearest police station or helpline number – 8053003400. He said that even a slight negligence on the part of the person can not only wipe out their life’s savings but also endanger the lives of their families. Therefore, people should take necessary precautions in this regard.
