Over 100 travel agents nabbed for sending passengers abroad illegally till June this year –

The Delhi Police has apprehended over 100 fraudulent travel agents up to June this year for allegedly sending passengers abroad using various deceptive methods, officials announced on Thursday.

This represents more than a 200 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, police noted, PTI reported.

These travel agents were apprehended in Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.

According to a statement by IGI Airport, 51 fraudulent agents were caught during the same period in 2023.

“We have arrested a total of 108 such agents, and the arrests have been made nationwide. The police have shifted their focus towards holding agents accountable rather than solely targeting the passengers, who may unknowingly fall victim to illegal immigration schemes while seeking better opportunities abroad,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangnani, PTI reported.

Also Read: ‘Donkey Routes’: 11 agents arrested by Delhi Police for using the Visa-on-arrival system to enter the US

The officer further stated that around 75 Look Out Circulars (LOCs) have been issued for agents who have fled abroad or remain untraceable, ensuring their apprehension on arrival or departure from India.

Revealing the modus operandi of these agents, the officer said they provide counterfeit visas that closely resemble genuine ones to passengers. Despite their efforts, passengers are frequently apprehended at immigration check posts or airline counters.

Even if they manage to bypass Indian authorities, they are often intercepted at the destination country’s immigration check.

“We have also arrested 11 agents involved in donkey route scams (helping people cross borders illegally),” said the DCP.

The officer also mentioned the arrest of 24 agents allegedly involved in arranging someone else’s passport for individuals with similar facial features.

“Agents procure passports of individuals with similar facial features for low-profile passengers. These passports usually have a strong travel history and robust profile, enabling the passengers to navigate the immigration process more effectively. We have also arrested three agents involved in changing identity after blacklisting,” said the DCP.

She added that an agent was arrested for allegedly disguising a man and arranging a passport for him of someone with a similar appearance. She cited an example where a 24-year-old man, disguised as a 67-year-old with the help of an agent, was arrested.

“We have arrested two agents under the Fake Seaman Book scam, who fabricate counterfeit Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) or Seaman Books for passengers, enabling them to travel illegally. Our teams have also arrested 21 agents for providing fake Indian passports to foreign nationals and 12 agents for tampering with passports.

“Additionally, we have arrested eight agents for creating fake travel histories and seven agents for no departure cases,” said the DCP.

(With inputs from PTI)