Punjab Police has arrested Manpreet Kaur, the Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch of Hero Kalan village in Mansa district, in connection with an alleged ₹36 lakh student visa fraud.

According to police, a Barnala resident alleged that the accused collected a substantial amount after promising to send his son abroad for higher education but neither secured the visa nor returned the money.

A case has also been registered against immigration firm operator Sony and his sister Sukhjit Kaur.

Father Wanted to Send Son Abroad

The complainant, Avtar Singh, told police that he wanted to send his son, Jaspinder Singh, overseas for higher education.

During the process, he was allegedly introduced to Sony, who reportedly operated an immigration consultancy.

According to the complaint, Sony claimed that he had previously helped hundreds of young people travel abroad, particularly to Canada, and assured the family that he could arrange a student visa for Jaspinder.

₹36 Lakh Allegedly Collected

The complainant alleged that the accused collected approximately ₹36 lakh.

The amount reportedly included payments relating to:

• College admission
• Visa processing
• Consultancy services
• Overseas education formalities
• Other related expenses

However, the promised visa was allegedly not arranged, and the process of sending the student abroad did not progress.

Refund Allegedly Denied

According to the complaint, when the family demanded its money back, the accused failed to provide a satisfactory response.

The complainant alleged that:

• The visa was not obtained.
• Admission-related promises were not fulfilled.
• The deposited amount was not refunded.
• Communication became increasingly difficult.

The family subsequently approached the police.

Land Transfer Allegedly Offered as Security

The complainant further alleged that the accused family promised to transfer a piece of land as security if the student could not be sent abroad.

According to the complaint:

• The land was never transferred.
• No enforceable security was provided.
• The ₹36 lakh was not returned.

Investigators are examining whether the alleged land assurance was used to gain the complainant’s confidence and secure the payment.

Case Registered Against Three Accused

Following a preliminary inquiry, police registered a case against:

• Sony
• Manpreet Kaur
• Sukhjit Kaur

The FIR reportedly invokes relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to:

• Cheating
• Criminal breach of trust
• Criminal conspiracy

Manpreet Kaur was arrested on Wednesday, while Sony has not yet been apprehended.

Main Accused Still Untraced

Police are continuing efforts to locate and arrest Sony, who is described as the principal accused in the alleged visa fraud.

Investigators may examine:

• Mobile phone locations
• Bank account activity
• Travel records
• Digital communications
• Business premises
• Links with other immigration agents

Further arrests may follow if additional individuals are found to have assisted the alleged operation.

More Victims May Have Been Targeted

Police are investigating whether the immigration firm used the same method to collect money from other families.

The probe is examining:

• Previous visa applicants
• Client registers
• Payment receipts
• Bank deposits
• Admission documents
• Visa application records
• Promotional material
• Social-media communications

Authorities are attempting to determine the total amount collected and the number of people who may have been affected.

Bank Transactions and Documents Under Review

Investigators are verifying:

• Payments made by the complainant
• Beneficiary bank accounts
• Cash transactions
• Visa application documents
• College admission letters
• Consultancy agreements
• Refund commitments
• Land-related documents

The purpose is to establish whether genuine visa applications were ever submitted and how the money was ultimately used.

Common Tactics in Immigration Fraud

Fraudulent immigration operators frequently attract victims through:

• Guaranteed visa promises
• Claims of special embassy contacts
• False admission letters
• Fabricated success stories
• Social-media advertisements
• Urgent payment demands
• Large advance consultancy fees
• Promises of refunds or property security

No immigration consultant can lawfully guarantee the approval of a visa because the final decision rests with the concerned foreign government or immigration authority.

Verify the Consultant Before Paying

Applicants should independently confirm:

• The consultant’s legal registration
• Physical office address
• Business history
• Complaint and litigation record
• Written fee structure
• Refund terms
• Actual college admission status
• Official visa application reference

Payments should be made only through traceable banking channels and against properly authorised receipts.

Admission Documents Must Be Independently Checked

Before transferring substantial amounts, families should contact the foreign educational institution directly to verify:

• Whether the student has actually been admitted
• Whether the offer letter is genuine
• Tuition fee amount
• Payment account details
• Course recognition
• Refund conditions

Money should not be transferred to an agent merely on the basis of screenshots or forwarded documents.

Social Media Credibility Can Be Misleading

Fraudulent immigration firms may use:

• Edited visa photographs
• Fake testimonials
• Paid promotional videos
• Fabricated office images
• Claims of hundreds of successful placements

These materials do not establish that the firm is licensed or that a particular visa application is genuine.

Independent verification remains essential.

Investigation Continues

Police are questioning the arrested accused and examining the wider financial and operational network.

The investigation will seek to determine:

• The role of each accused
• Whether genuine applications were filed
• Where the ₹36 lakh was transferred
• Whether additional victims exist
• Whether other agents or employees participated

All allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

Shunyatax Global Insight

Shunyatax Global says that overseas education payments should be divided into independently verifiable stages rather than paid as one large advance.

Families should pay tuition directly to the recognised educational institution, verify every admission and visa reference through official channels, and insist on a written agreement defining the consultant’s services, fees and refund obligations. Any promise of a guaranteed visa or demand for a large payment without documentary verification should be treated as a serious warning sign.