Pkl police crackdown on fake immigration agents

Panchkula: The Anti-emigration fraud unit of the Panchkula police has disrupted several inter-state fake immigration networks, resolving 285 out of 293 complaints received between January 2025 and May 2026. This sustained crackdown claimed to have achieved a disposal rate of over 97%, resulting in the arrest of 100 accused and the recovery of crores of rupees in cash, valuables, and refunds.

According to inspector Yogvinder Singh, the department received 239 complaints in 2025 (averaging 20 per month), all of which were resolved. In the first five months of 2026, complaints dropped to 54 (averaging 11 per month), with 46 already settled. Officials attribute this decline directly to strict enforcement against fraudulent operators.

DCP Srishti Gupta stated that the police heavily prioritised financial recovery for the victims. The unit recovered and returned ₹2.4 crore to complainants in 2025 and an additional ₹1 crore during the first five months of 2026, totaling ₹3.4 crore in restored funds over the 17-month period.

Apart from victim refunds, independent police seizures from arrested suspects totaled approximately ₹2.3 crore. This included ₹1.7 crore in cash and 850 grams of gold jewelry seized in 2025, alongside an additional ₹54.4 lakh recovered in 2026.

Enforcement operations also led to a near 50% drop in case registrations this year. Police registered 45 cases in 2025 (averaging four per month) compared to 10 cases registered so far in 2026 (averaging two per month).

The unit arrested 63 individuals in 2025 and 37 more during the first five months of 2026. Investigations revealed many were habitual offenders operating across state lines under false promises of overseas jobs, study visas, and immigration opportunities. One arrested suspect alone faced 49 separate complaints across various locations.

The crackdown successfully busted illegal, unlicensed interstate gangs operating out of Delhi, Punjab, and other states. Continuous raids have disrupted these networks, forcing many unauthorised agents to cease operations or flee the region.

DCP Srishti Gupta warned that strict legal action will continue against illegal operators. She urged citizens to verify credentials and deal exclusively with licensed agencies, encouraging the public to report any suspicious immigration activities to the police.