In 139 days, 16 booked in 14 cases for duping Ferozepur residents of Rs.1.95 Cr on pretext of sending them abroad

In 139 days, 16 booked in 14 cases for duping Ferozepur residents of Rs.1.95 Cr on pretext of sending them abroad

Craze for going abroad – a mania that will never subside or die

Ferozepur, May 19, 2024:  As many as, 16 accused have been booked in 14 cases in 139 days, in different cases, have been registered during the current year of cheating with the people involving Rs.1.95 crore, on the pretext of sending them abroad.

The craze for going abroad, either to study or permanently settle there is said to be a mania that will never subside or die as the people have less opportunities to earn more in India and earn more money by doing even odd jobs, which they cannot perform while in their country’s home town.  Going abroad for an overseas degree has become quite common nowadays. Indian students who have embraced foreign degrees with open arms have been obsessed with overseas colleges and universities since the early 70s.

There are lakhs of Indian students in foreign countries studying a variety of courses. They have been inspired by their seniors who have had a stint abroad earlier. Looking at the success stories of Indian graduates who have made it big on foreign shores, more and more students from India prefer to go abroad and achieve their goal of becoming successful in their area of work and study.

Going abroad has become a status symbol for families across India. Since a foreign degree is held in high esteem, there has been no let-up in Indian students opting to study abroad. The trend of going abroad and settling on foreign shores is not going to subside in the foreseeable future, said a local Visa Consultant.

In a recent such case, one couple and their son took into confidence one person to send his brother to Canada and cheated for Rs.4.60 lac and a case under Sections 420, 120-B of IPC and Human Trafficking Act, said Gurmej Singh, IO investigating the case.

At the same time, during the current year, in the 139 days, 16 people have become victims on the pretext of sending them abroad but could not fly and they feel cheated.  In 13 cases, 28  have been booked on this account and as per the sources, no arrest has been made so far.

For study purposes, there is hardly any case of cheating noticed, the problem is only in the cases who want to settle on a foreign land by making entry through any means even illegal like by getting asylum or by marrying and later on getting a divorce or on forged work visas, in the hands of touts, with assurance to get a work visa.  But they manage the visitor visa which lands them in trouble before reaching to their destination.

Another  local immigrant consultant said, “No doubt there is a craze for going abroad but the aspirant must complete their documentation and get it processed through the registered company for study or as a visitor visa instead of becoming a victim in the hands of private persons or relatives.”