On September 2, Sandeep from Haryana was apprehended at Delhi airport while trying to board a flight to Italy with a counterfeit Swedish visa. During interrogation, Sandeep disclosed that many from his village had traveled abroad using similar fake visas. His information led to the exposure of a visa forgery ring operating in Delhi for the past five years, which had produced 4,000 to 5,000 fake visas and amassed ₹300 crore.
Sandeep had purchased the fake visa from an agent named Asif Ali for ₹10 lakh. Consequently, police arrested Asif Ali along with his associates Shiva Gautam and Naveen Rana. Gautam then named two additional agents, Balbir Singh and Jaswinder Singh, who were also arrested. Further investigation revealed that fake visas were being manufactured at a factory in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, run by Manoj Monga, a graphic design diploma holder.
The factory, which Monga set up with equipment provided by Jaideep Singh, produced 30-60 fake visas monthly and could create a visa sticker in just 20 minutes. Each counterfeit visa was sold for ₹8-10 lakh. The operation used Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp for coordination, with a network of local agents assisting clients seeking overseas jobs.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGI Airport, Usha Rangrani, reported that six individuals have been arrested so far. Authorities recovered 16 Nepali passports, two Indian passports, 30 visa stickers, 23 visa stamps, and various equipment including dye machines, printers, laminating sheets, laptops, and UV machines during the raid.
