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Visa scams plague Punjab
Indian police have launched an investigation into what they believe is a massive immigration scam by a company operated by an Indo-Canadian family.
Claiming to be the “world’s largest immigration group”, the multi-billion dollar WorldWide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS) in Chandigarh, Punjab is under the police scanner after it was found the firm was dealing in work permit visas without having a licence for it, reported IANS.
Chandigarh police, which have a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the immigration fraud being played on youth by immigration firms in and around this city, have conducted raids on the sprawling headquarters of the WWICS in Mohali near the capital city of Chandigarh and other offices of the firm in recent weeks.
Police claim to have found that WWICS had been running its business ‘illegally’ since it had no licence from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) since 2008.
Established in 1993, WorldWide Immigration Consultancy Services says on its website that it is the world leader in providing Global Resettlement Solutions, which is vouched by more than 80,000 people who have happily settled in their dream destinations like Canada, USA, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
“As the World’s Largest Immigration Group, WWICS is built on a legacy of delivering excellence because of the industry knowledge, world-class infrastructure and comprehensive resettlement package consisting of immigration, placement & settlement services,” the website boasts.
The company is led by retired Indian military officer Lt.Col.B S Sandhu, 68, who moved to the Toronto area in the late eighties and worked as a land surveyor all over Canada before opening a supermarket and a courier business. His two sons, Devinder Sandhu and Parvinder Sandhu, are directors in the company
On his website, Sandhu boasts tie-ups with international universities like the Georgian College-Canada, Thompson Rivers University-Canada, University of Brighton – UK & UCOL & NATCOLL-New Zealand.
Sandhu is also the President of Forest Hill Golf & Country Club, a resort in the foothills of the Shivaliks in Punjab.
Commenting on the police raids, a WWICS spokesman said: “The services provided by WWICS are not under the ambit and not amenable to the provisions of The Emigration Act, 1983. We are working in a transparent manner since 1993 and have built the trust and confidence of the people.”
The first raid on WWICS was at its office in Chandigarh’s Sector 22 on Feb 2 along with 19 other immigration firms in the city. The offices of all firms were sealed by police and documents and records taken away for investigations.
“WWICS is a big name in this field. We did our complete homework before raiding their premises. Serious anomalies in their business were found during investigations. They have been fooling people for a long time. Investigations are still being made from their records and the people they have sent abroad without having the licence to do so,” Special Investigation Team head Anil Joshi said.
WWICS and its promoters have been in controversies earlier over immigration cases and land dealings. A golf resort set up by the company in a forested area near Chandigarh was declared illegal by the Supreme Court a few years ago. The company is now into education and real estate as well, Indian media reported.
Sandhu said earlier in a statement: “WWICS India does not deal in work permits for any country at all and thus does not fall under the purview of labour licence requirement under the Act. The same details have been submitted to the senior superintendent of police, Chandigarh.”
Hundreds of people, especially youth, from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh seek immigration to other countries, especially the US, Canada, Britain, Australia and others, every year.
Scores of immigration firms and agents operate across Punjab and Chandigarh to cater to the immigration demand, both legal and illegal, from the region.
Joshi claimed that the SIT had found “incriminating” evidence against the activities of WWICS in sending youth abroad. “They do not possess any licence and it is in direct contravention of the provisions of the Emigration Act 1983,” Joshi claimed.
WWICS had initially ‘objected’ to the police raids on their offices, saying their activities and business were “legal”. The firm, which has scores of staffers, had failed to provide any licence to the police.
According to the police, at least 18 complaints have been received against WWICS.
IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN
If any person has information or a grievance against immigration companies who have been booked by the Chandigarh Police, the following police officers can be contacted. Inspector Diwan Singh, 98721-00122
SUB INSPECTOR CHIRANJEE LAL, 93161-01687
SUB INSPECTOR AJINDER SINGH 98153-88076.
SOME OF THE OTHER COMPANIES BEING INVESTIGATED ARE: GLOBAL VISA CONSULTANCY, VISA WAYS IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT PRIVATE LIMITED AND PACIFIC IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT SCO.
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