This investigation sheds light on the flourishing illegal immigration industry, where travel agents and immigration consultants in cities like Jalandhar have perfected ways to bypass legal restrictions and exploit loopholes in visa regulations. With the promise of a better future abroad, many individuals fall prey to these schemes, often paying exorbitant amounts for fraudulent documentation, fake marriages, and bypassing background checks. These operations are highly organized, with networks spanning multiple countries, allowing unqualified individuals and even criminals to settle abroad under false pretenses.
One of the most common methods uncovered is the use of contractual marriages to secure dependent spouse visas. At Friends Immigration Services in Jalandhar, our team posed as clients seeking to send a 32-year-old man with only a 10th-class education to the UK. Consultant Karan assured us that obtaining a visa through a fake marriage was not only possible but a well-established practice. The agency arranges for a well-educated woman to "marry" the client, significantly improving the chances of visa approval. The entire process is orchestrated to appear legitimate, with the client covering all expenses, including the woman's education, travel, and living costs. A staged wedding ceremony, complete with professional photographs, a wedding album, and video recordings, is conducted to serve as convincing evidence for embassy officials reviewing the visa application.
Karan explained the process in detail, emphasizing that the wedding would be arranged in Indraprastha near Football Chowk, Jalandhar, a well-known hub for such activities. Once the couple reaches the UK, the woman enrolls in a course while the man works for two years to support her financially. After her studies are complete, she qualifies for a work permit, at which point both individuals are free to go their separate ways. This system enables individuals to enter foreign countries under the guise of a legitimate marital relationship while circumventing the stringent eligibility criteria for work and study visas.
Beyond fake marriages, the investigation also uncovered shocking cases of immigration fraud targeting individuals with serious criminal records. Ved Zenith Institute in Jalandhar, which claims to be a Punjab government-licensed immigration consultant, was found actively assisting people facing criminal charges in securing visas. When our reporters posed as clients seeking to send a man charged under Section 307 (Attempt to Murder) abroad, we were assured by Sunaina, the Head Counselor, that no police clearance certificate (PCC) was required for a visitor visa. This revelation underscored the extent to which these agencies exploit legal loopholes, making it alarmingly easy for individuals with severe criminal backgrounds to travel abroad without any scrutiny.
The agency relies on the loophole that tourist visas do not require background checks, allowing individuals with criminal records to enter foreign countries without their past offenses being flagged. Once the individual arrives at their destination, they can transition to a work visa without any verification of their history. Spain is a preferred destination for such cases due to its lenient immigration policies and the availability of work in food processing companies. The agency arranges for such individuals to travel in groups, ensuring that they do not attract attention at immigration checkpoints.
When confronted about the risks involved, Sunaina confidently stated that no police verification was required for visit-to-employment transitions. She assured us that FIR records and criminal history documents were unnecessary and would not be reviewed during the immigration process. For a fee of just Rs 1.5 lakh, the agency promised to facilitate the accused individual's permanent settlement in Spain, bypassing all legal scrutiny.
This investigation highlights the alarming rise of human smuggling and illegal immigration networks that continue to operate unchecked. These agents, driven by profit, exploit the aspirations of individuals who seek a better life abroad, while simultaneously enabling criminals to escape justice. The use of fake marriages, manipulated asylum claims, fraudulent documentation, and visa fraud poses a serious threat not only to immigration systems but also to national security.
The ease with which these fraudsters manipulate legal procedures underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations, improved border security, and thorough background checks on visa applicants. Without decisive action from law enforcement and immigration authorities, these illegal networks will continue to thrive, putting the integrity of global migration policies at risk.
